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St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital hosted a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit reunion holiday party for all NICU graduates and their families. Approximately 100 were in attendance, including 35 babies, parents, hospital staff and NICU nurses, as well as Neonatologist Dr. Charles T. Hankins of Texas Children’s Hospital, who mysteriously disappeared once Santa Claus paid a visit. The children enjoyed arts, crafts, goodie bags, door prizes and
refreshments.

“These annual reunions mean so much to the families as well as our nursing staff, and truly captures the spirit of celebrating life’s blessings during the holiday season,” explained Carole Kaylor, nurse manager of pediatrics and Level II nursery. “Our nurses care for these babies in the neonatal intensive care unit 24 hours a day, often for several weeks, so they can’t help but bond with them. The nurses of course also bond with the parents as their job is to partner with the family to teach them the skills they need to care for their premature baby. It is extremely gratifying and rewarding for us to reunite with the babies and their parents at these holiday parties to see how they have grown and reached the various critical developmental milestones.”

“Our neonatal physicians and nurses do an excellent job making sure that the families we serve and their babies are enveloped with tender loving care within the healing environment we offer here at St. Luke’s,” said Debra F. Sukin, CEO of St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital.

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute-Southwest, Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital have been named to the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals for cardiovascular care list by the health care business of Thomson Reuters. Only 30 community hospitals across the nation were selected for the honor.

According to Thomson Reuters, if all hospitals performed at the level of the benchmark hospitals, it would save almost 6,000 lives per year and prevent non-fatal complications in an additional 720 patients. Benchmark hospitals saved an average of more than $1,500 per case.

“This recognition showcases the world-class care that our physicians and staff bring throughout Houston,” said Carol Edwards, Memorial Hermann system executive for the heart and vascular service line. “By continually advancing the level of cardiovascular care at our hospitals we are able to save more patient lives—that’s the bottom line.”

Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro, an upscale artisan-food market located in The Woodlands, held the grand opening of its new-American style bistro. The progressive bistro offers a seasonally driven menu created by Houston’s well-known chef Edelberto Goncalves and Hubbell & Hudson founder and CEO Cary Attar.

Located at 24 Waterway Ave. at Lake Robbins Drive, Hubbell & Hudson Bistro is an upscale eatery with cozy seating for 68 guests, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a contemporary-casual atmosphere. The bistro features new-American cuisine with classic cooking techniques applied to modern food.

“Our goal in designing the bistro was to create a neighborhood spot where folks can enjoy delicious, chef-crafted meals in a comfortable setting. We want the Bistro to be a place where neighbors gather for fun, casual dining and a place to savor modern foods by Chef Edelberto,” added Attar. “So far, we’ve seen incredible success. Our reservation book has been on fire.”

The bistro has private rooms available with the latest technology for business meetings, such as wireless Internet availability and flat screens.

The menu is seasonally driven and changes frequently to take advantage of the peak season arrivals in the Hubbell & Hudson Market.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.hubbellandhudson.com/bistro.html or by calling 281-203-5641.

George Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands, surveys the construction under way at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion. The $9 million renovation and expansion project began in December 2008 following damage sustained by Hurricane Ike. Renovations are expected to be complete by April 30, in time for an early May opening of the venue’s 20th season.

The Woodlands has been selected as one of America’s best shopping destinations, according to the results of Southern Living Magazine’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Woodlands was ranked No. 8 in the category “Best Neighborhood for Shopping,” joining the likes of Buckhead in Atlanta, the Georgetown area in Washington, D.C., and the French Quarter in New Orleans.

More than 50,000 ballots were submitted to the premier lifestyle magazine by Southern Living readers who provided their recommendations for the best places to eat, shop and stay in the south and southeast United States.

“To be recognized in a poll stretching across the southeast speaks volumes for the appeal of The Woodlands as a regional shopping destination,” says Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Wolda credits the collection of specialty boutiques and iconic national retailers nestled in a family-friendly, pedestrian setting as the primary reason for the area’s popularity as a world-class shopping destination. Among the great finds in The Woodlands is Texas’ only Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café & Emporium and Houston’s only Lilly Pulitzer retail store.

Shoppers in The Woodlands also enjoy the convenience of The Woodlands Waterway Trolleys and The Woodlands Waterway taxis, both of which make stops at points throughout The Woodlands Town Center.

Sandra Erlandson, retired CISD theater teacher, was presented with the 2008 Alma Slawinski Award for Dedicated Leadership at the Texas Thespian State Festival.

Erlandson, past chair of The Woodlands High School theater, was nominated for this award by Oak Ridge High School theater teacher Connie Sue Godwin, who taught with Erlandson at McCullough from 1987-l993.

Together, they went to University Interscholastic League One-Act Play State Contest twice, winning first place in 1990 and placed students in Texas Forensic League State finals numerous times. They also won UIL State in 2000 and advanced to State five times, most recently this past year.

Under their guidance TWHS theatre twice presented plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, was chosen four times to perform on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Neb., and was twice presented with the Outstanding School Award by the Educational Theatre Association.

Erlandson was awarded the CISD Second Mile Award Quest of Excellence in l987 and the Texas Educational Theatre Association Educator of the Year in 2002. She chaired the theater department for 21 years where she expanded the theater program from four classes to its present 24 classes and four full-time teachers. Her students are active in the entertainment business acting, designing, writing, and producing theater, television, film and music from Los Angeles to New York.

Erlandson continues to direct plays and scenes at TWHS after retiring, and is presently a private acting coach and costumer. She volunteers at Oak Ridge High School with Godwin and Val Prahl.

The Woodlands Township received the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association as well as bond rating upgrades from both Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investors Service.

“Both of these accomplishments are significant for the taxpayers in The Woodlands,” said Nelda Luce Blair, The Woodlands Township chairman of the board. “This is a true credit to the way The Woodlands Township handles public monies and the dedication of the finance team of board members and staff.”

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was awarded to The Woodlands Township by the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.