Enjoy $3 Peach Bellinis and Hearty Italian Meals at Grotto Ristorante

After a day of shopping at The Woodlands Mall, unwind with a hearty Italian meal at Grotto Ristorante. Start with the complimentary bread and garlic olive oil, perfect for dipping and staving off hunger pains. For a lighter meal, go for soup and salad; try the Lobster Bisque and the Italian Chopped Salad with grilled chicken, prosciutto, provolone, gorgonzola, bacon, and egg. Indulge in one of the popular entrees, like the Ravioli Pera e Gorgonzola, ricotta cheese-stuffed ravioli with roasted chicken, Bosc pears, and asparagus in a gorgonzola sauce.

Dinner can be pricey, but Grotto Ristorante offers a comfortable and classy atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, in which to savor your meal. The full bar has an excellent wine list and great happy hour deals from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Friday. Stop in for the famous $3 Peach Bellinis and reasonably priced small plates, including $6 pizzas.

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines, Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
http://www.grottohouston.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2

The Flavors of Louisiana are at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen

Taste the flavors of Louisiana at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen in The Woodlands. Conveniently located near the Market Street shops, it's an ideal spot to stop in for lunch. Diners love the complimentary basket of Cajun potato chips. The menu offers all of the standards of Big Easy cuisine, like chicken and sausage gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, and po'boys (try one with sloppy roast beef). Just be sure to save room for beignets (New Orleans-style doughnuts) and a French Press coffee. Come by on Wednesday or Thursday for "Wine Lovers Night" and take advantage of $10 off any bottle of wine. Regulars love Schilleci's for its friendly service and cozy space.

9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1120
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4242
www.schillecis.com
www.yelp.com/biz/schillecis-new-orleans-kitchen-the-woodlands-2

Tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season

Here are a few helpful tips & tricks for crime prevention during the holiday season.

This holiday season don't let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, robbers, and thieves a better chance to do their dirty work. Criminals love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's an opportune time for crime. We would like to remind you to be especially cautious of your surroundings, not only within our apartment community, but also when visiting shopping areas, friends and family.

Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:

If You Are At Home:

  • Keep doors and windows locked.
  • Consider how much of your residence you are exposing to people passing by on the street when you have your doors, windows and curtains open (displaying seasonal items, etc.).  This can be inviting, whether you are home or gone.  Even if you are only gone for a few moments!

If You Are Out for the Evening

  • Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone is home.
  • Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

If You Are Traveling

  • Get an automatic timer for your lights.
  • Ask a neighbor to watch your home, etc.
  • Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.

If You Are Shopping

  • Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
  • Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to close the windows and lock the car.
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.  Pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. (Note:  Remember to get your credit card(s) back from the sales clerks at the end of your transaction).
  • Deter purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Do not leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart (even while you turn your back to look at an item on a shelf, etc.).
  • Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Protect Your Vehicle

  • LOCK – TAKE – HIDE

    • LOCK your vehicle.
    • TAKE your belongings out of the vehicle.  Do not leave anything in plain view (ex. Purses, wallets, GPS systems, sunglasses, CD’s. holiday gifts, spare change, etc.).
    • HIDE your belongings/valuables, so they cannot be seen by people passing by (in the trunk, console, glove box, etc.).
  • Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if for only a minute or two.

If a Stranger Comes to the DoorCriminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts, and it’s not uncommon for people to try to take advantage of others’ generosity during the holidays by going door-to-door for charitable donations when there is no charity involved. Ask for identification, and find out how the funds will be used. If you aren’t satisfied, don’t give. Help a charitable organization you know and like instead.

After the Holiday Season / After the Gifts Are OpenedBurglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays – especially items such as new computers, stereo components, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage.  Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in inside a trash/recycle can.  Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday gifts.  And, of course, if you see someone suspicious, call the local Police Department’s non-emergency number. If you see a burglary in progress, call 911.

Take a Holiday InventoryThe holidays are a good time to update, or create, your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items.  Make lists of those items and include descriptions and serial numbers (or owner applied numbers). If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.  Make sure things like TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice!  Be sure to keep this list in safe location that can be readily accessed in the event you need to report any of these items lost/stolen to the police department.

Decorating Safety

Every year thousands of people are injured or killed due to faulty holiday decorations.  Residential fires during the holiday season are especially tragic.  Celebration and joy can quickly turn to sorrow and anguish because basic fire safety guidelines were neglected.  “It can happen to you,” so be careful and have a safe and carefree holiday season.  Some safety tips to consider:

Fireplaces:  Fireplaces are very popular during the holidays.  Before starting a fire, make sure you remove all decorations from the area and be sure that the flue is open.  Do not burn wrappings or evergreen boughs.  These can burn extremely fast, throwing off sparks and burning debris.  Safely dispose of wrapping paper with your normal trash collection.  Also, remember to maintain a source of fresh air to avoid possible build-up of carbon monoxide gas.  NEVER LEAVE A FIRE BURNING UNATTENDED.

Candles:  Never leave a candle burning unattended.  Place candles in a sturdy container to avoid falling over.  Remember to extinguish candles before going to bed.

Christmas Trees:  When buying a natural tree, the most important precaution is freshness.  The higher the moisture content the less likely it is to dry out and become a fire hazard.   Artificial trees should bear the UL label and should be made of fire resistant material.  This does not mean that the tree will not burn, but only that it will not catch fire easily.  Never use electric lights on metallic trees.  Place trees away from fireplaces, kerosene heaters and other heat sources and remember to turn off your tree lights whenever you leave your home or go to bed.

Holiday Lights:  Use only UL approved lighting.  Inspect electric lights for broken or cracked sockets and frayed wires, replace if necessary.  Do not use indoor lights outdoors or visa-versa.  Do not overload extension cords and do not connect more than three (3) sets of lights to one cord.  Never use lighted candles on or near a tree.  Outdoor lights should be weatherproof and clearly identified as designed for outdoor use.  Turn off all holiday lights when you leave your home or go to bed.  Remove outdoor lighting as soon as the season is over.

Tree Ornaments and Trimmings:  Avoid placing small or breakable ornaments on lower branches where children or pets can reach them and knock them off.  Every year children are treated for cuts from broken ornaments or from swallowing broken pieces and small parts.

Careful planning can ensure a safe and enjoyable Holiday season for everyone.

On behalf of the management and staff of Avana Woodridge we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and safe holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

 

Sincerely,

 

Avana Woodridge

By:  Jon Durnell,

Community Manager

281-681-0031

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

911 or 936-760-5871 (Non-Emergency Line)

Four Innovative Sports Websites for Thinking Fans

For sports fans, one of the best parts of the web has been the rise in the number of websites producing high-quality content about sports. Whether its by using statistics in inventive ways to offer new takes on our favorite sports to presenting thoughtful, nuanced, and well-written essays on the culture of sports, these sites go beyond simple box scores:

Grantland
Grantland is a website devoted to articles from beloved sports writer Bill Simmons and a team of talented contributors. This website makes predictions, discusses player trades, and examines sports culture as a whole in a smart, literary way.

Hoops Hype
Hoops Hype is a division of USA Today Sports that examines the sport of basketball in a way that you won’t find on any other media outlet. Made specifically for the most devoted basketball enthusiasts, Hoops Hype features long-form articles, player biographies, transactions, and statistics with impressive depth and detail.

Football Outsiders
With the goal of bringing objective analysis to the sport of football, Football Outsiders features new, in-depth statistics that you won’t find anywhere else. The site also releases articles discussing new approaches and challenging conventional ideas in football.

The Wages of Wins Journal
Run by a group of stats-centric sports fans, Wages of Wins attempts to explain how sports work in a new, innovative way. Wages of Wins contributing writers discuss their predictions and opinions with a keen analytical eye.

Find Shopping Perfection at Market Street The Woodlands

It takes a lot to recommend a shopping mall, but Market Street, located in The Woodlands, really is a fantastic destination for all your shopping needs. Over sixty merchants have spaces there, from national companies like Tiffany & Co and Lululemon Athletica to local boutiques as well. Market Street is definitely a one stop shop, so besides the endless number of stores to choose from there is dining and entertainment as well. If you’re hungry, stop in for a bite to eat at more than fifteen restaurants, including Chipotle, Grotto, and Jasper’s. A movie theater is also available in case you need a movie break, featuring five auditoriums showing a mix of popular and indie films. Market Street also hosts a wide variety of events during the week, from product demonstrations to live music and other forms of entertainment.

Market Street The Woodlands
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4774
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com

Cold Weather Advisory

With the cold weather season fast approaching we just wanted to remind our clients that due to the almost year 'round warm weather you may notice an unpleasant smell coming from your heater the first time it's used. It's quite common this time of year. This smell is basically accumulated dust that gets burned up from the heating coils. It can in some extreme situations actually cause smoke and set off the smoke detectors. Please do not be alarmed if this occurs. Simply lower the temperature and ventilate the room. It may take a few times of doing this but should resolve itself quickly. If the temperature outside falls below 50 degrees and your heater stops working, it is considered an emergency. We will do our best to have maintenance respond and if possible come out to fix. Please keep in mind that they can only do work when it's safe to do so.

-Jon

CorkScrew BBQ: Classic Barbecue in The Woodlands

CorkScrew BBQ serves barbecue worthy of accolades. In fact, the Houston Press named CorkScrew BBQ's brisket and turkey as one 2012's top 100 dishes, and the food truck recently made Texas Monthly's list of top 50 barbecue. Whether your favorite 'cue is brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, CorkScrew's perfectly-smoked meats are delicious with or without the truck's raved-about barbecue sauce.

CorkScrew makes no apologies for selling out of meats daily; its loyal following knows to queue up early for the widest selection. Bring your own beer to keep you company while you wait in line.  CorkScrew BBQ is closed Sundays and Mondays.

CorkScrew BBQ
24930 Budde Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(832) 592-1184
http://www.corkscrewbbq.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/corkscrew-bbq-the-woodlands-2

Avana Woodridge All-Day Movie Event!

Bring your favorite Ghouls and Goblins and enjoy an all day movie Spook-tac-ular! We will be showing Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas in our Movie Theater Room. Please stop in for some Halloween Family Fun!

 

Fukuda: Impressive Japanese Cuisine

With its strip mall location in The Woodlands, Fukuda may look like a typical sushi restaurant, but it's anything but boring. Although you'll be pleased ordering your favorite Asian dish, don't overlook Fukuda's specials, which reflect the availability of the fresh and unique seafood that's delivered three times per week. The restaurant's extensive menu is easy to read; rolls are clearly marked as spicy or containing raw ingredients. Try the Ghost Rider Roll with shrimp, cucumber, pepper tuna, avocado and sweet potato crisps. Noodle and teriyaki dishes are also popular, and the creative cocktail menu includes a cold raspberry saké martini. 

Customers find the prices to be fair, especially for the quality, but frequent happy hour deals make it an even better deal. In addition to an afternoon happy hour that starts at 3 p.m., Fukuda offers a late night reprisal as well as an extended happy hour all evening on weekends. Its clean space is tastefully decorated, and dim lighting makes Fukuda ideal for a casual date or fun night out.

25701 Interstate 45 N, Suite 3
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-8980
http://www.fukudasushiwoodlands.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fukuda-the-woodlands

5 Veggie Burger Recipes That Won’t Have You Missing Meat

Whether you're a diehard vegetarian or just want to add meat-free dishes to your recipe box, these five veggie burger recipes will deliver a patty you can really sink your teeth into. 

Black Bean Veggie Burgers [Allrecipes]

Open-Faced Falafel Burgers [CookingLight]

Best Ever Beet and Bean Burgers [TheKitchn]

Our Perfect Veggie Burger [OhSheGlows]

The World's Most Versatile Veggie Burger Recipe [No Meat Athlete]

Pin It on Pinterest