Booths, vendors, characters, productions, and fun for the whole family

The 3^rd annual Conroe Shakespeare Festival, presented by the Conroe Downtown Area Association, will take place on Saturday, March 24. The event opens at 9:00 a.m. and ends that evening at 6:00 p.m. The central part of downtown Conroe will be transformed into a multi-block outdoor venue featuring booths, food trucks, vendors, local artisans, traveling Elizabethan characters, and several acts presented on the Founders Plaza Stage next door to the Owen Theatre on Metcalf Street. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.

“We have grown the festivities even more this year with expanded vendor space, a reserved area for food trucks, and nonstop excitement on the stage and streets,” said Sean K. Thompson, festival director for the 2018 festival. “The past two years have brought whole new patrons to the downtown Conroe area, and we are excited to see this year’s interaction between our festivalgoers and the local businesses that help make downtown the gem that it is.”

Events planned on the stage will include interactive swordfighting demonstrations by Texas Renaissance Festival member Jonny Ringo, a family-friendly performance by award-winning ventriloquist Phil Nichols, a “Battle of the Bards” competition, performances by Texas Brass Ensemble, a special song-and-dance exerpt from the Owen’s upcoming production of “Kiss Me, Kate,” and two Shakespearean productions: “Romeo and Juliet” at 2:00 p.m. and the showcased “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at 4:00 p.m. There will also be a dedicated children’s area with photo booth, storytime, and other activities.

Current organizations involved in the festival include the Conroe Downtown Area Association, the Conroe Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Conroe Parks & Recreation Department, UpStage Theatre, Lone Star Community Radio, Dempsey Event Promotions, and Taylorized PR. Sponsorship opportunities are available and a few vendor slots are open at this time. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit www.ExperienceDowntownConroe.com or email conroeshakespearefestival2018@gmail.com.

Jim Clark, Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner, made it official as he filed for re-election in the 2018 Republican Primary. He is looking forward to continuing his passion, which is serving the people of Montgomery County.

In a recent statement, Clark said Montgomery County has seen several conservative victories during his time in office, and that he is seeking re-election to keep fighting for the citizens to cut spending and lower taxes. He also strives every day to make a difference that will bring about positive reform to Montgomery County government.

Clark was first elected as a Montgomery County Commissioner in 2014, and he said some of his achievements were leading the fight to cut spending by lowering the budget, and bringing some much-needed tax relief by winning the battle to give the taxpayers a 20 percent homestead exemption.

Precinct 4 covers the Cities of Splendora, Paton Village, Roman Forest, Woodbranch, Woodloch, Cut and Shoot, and parts of Conroe and Shenandoah, as well as the communities of Porter, New Caney, Grangerland, Chateau Woods, Tamina, and portions of The Woodlands and Kingwood.

“My precinct is a huge area filled with great people from all walks of life, and it is exploding with growth,” Clark said in his statement. “Population booms can often result in the deterioration of the quality of life in a community. But here in Montgomery County, we have added more than 100,000 new residents since I was first elected, and our quality of life only continues to improve.”

Clark also said that, during his tenure thus far, Montgomery County has seen been better roads, improved Precinct 4 services, and lower tax rates.

Aid Puerto Rico Now sending more than 30,000 lbs of food and supplies with more planned to come

While watching the constant torrent of news reports as Puerto Rico was battered by hurricane Irma, one local businessman began making plans to send aid to the storm-ravaged island. John Patterson, CEO of JP Tech Group, was concerned that – after the Harvey storms that devastated Texas and Louisiana and the impact of Irma on Florida – the U.S. territory would additionally suffer from resources stretched thin.

“When Harvey hit us in Texas, the influx of first responders, volunteers, and rebuilders was staggering in its positive impact,” said Patterson. “When Irma took aim at Puerto Rico, I knew we had to return the favor.”

Patterson immediately set about forming an organization to handle the potential tons of supplies that he intended to send to Puerto Rico. Aid Puerto Rico Now, which has an IRS tax-exempt nonprofit status pending, was established to work with community organizations throughout the state to send much-needed food and supplies to those recovering from the hurricane.

“The sad fact is that the infrastructure in Puerto Rico was already in dire need of repair and update, and the residents there didn’t have a chance against the strength of the storm,” said Patterson. “Even now, weeks later, a vast majority are without power and shelter.”

Patterson commenced forging strategic partnerships with two other organizations: Austin Disaster Relief Network and Kids Against Hunger of Central Texas. “These two fantastic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations were instrumental in amassing between them more than 30,000 lbs of food and supplies,” said Patterson.

Collected in Austin, thirty pallets – each weighing approximately 1,000 lbs – of relief goods are now en route to Puerto Rico. The pallets are filled with drinking water, sanitary supplies for adults and children, baby food, welcome kits of toiletries and other sundries, and 21,368 individually packed ready-to-eat meals.

“We’re such a new organization and there was such an immediate need for the supplies, I decided to ship the pallets myself before we could establish a donation portal,” said Patterson. He has thus far paid an excess of $16,000 in storage and transportation fees out of his own pocket. “I am hoping that, as word of our work spreads, we can receive an influx of donations to defray the future costs.”

Patterson plans to personally travel to Puerto Rico in the near future to gain “boots on the ground” perspective to see how Aid Puerto Rico Now can direct its future efforts He encourages interested individuals, organizations, corporations, and philanthropic entities to contact the Aid Puerto Rico Now offices in Houston at 888-703-3390 or visit www.AidPRNow.org to learn how they can assist.

“I just want to assure our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico that Texas is coming, without political agenda or ulterior motive. We’re coming to help, and we’re coming now.”

About Aid Puerto Rico Now

Aid Puerto Rico Now is a nonprofit organization – with IRS tax exempt status pending – based in Houston, Texas whose mission is to provide relief in the form of food, water, supplies, equipment, manpower, and other assistance to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico as it recovers from Hurricane Irma. The organization is the central hub of a network of relief agencies and dedicated individuals tasked with short-, medium-, and long-term aid efforts. To learn more about the organization, or to donate, visit www.AidPRNow.org or call 888-703-3390.

Woodlands Eco Realty’s new program is designed to assist displaced families into new homes with rebates that can fetch anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000

Throughout the greater Montgomery County area, numerous families are in search of new houses to buy as they wave a soggy farewell to their flooded homes. Typically, when time and shelter are of the essence, real estate agents might take advantage of the situation and increase prices.

One local company, however, is taking the opposite stand, and instead has started a program where a selection of homes purchased will offer rebates to buyers who suffered from the floods. Woodlands Eco Realty’s owner Priyanka Johri recently announced several listings in her new Flood Relief Program, with the help of her seller clients.

Johri has been involved in rescue and flood relief efforts since the start, and she was inspired to encourage her clients to join hands to help her help more people. Her program is offering substantial deals designed to assist displaced families. Rebates can be anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 toward closing costs to any flood survivors buying a property listed in the program.

“With a vast majority of my clients, there is a special relationship that goes beyond the normal realtor/buyer/seller,” said Johri. “That relationship inspires us to frequently work together for the greater good in the community. As a cohesive unit, me, my staff, and my clients are determined to turn this tragic time around into something positive.”

One of her listings was recently featured on local news outlet KPRC Channel 2’s Listing Showcase program. The recently listed house located at 83 S. Longspur Drive in the upscale Grogan’s Point neighborhood, which didn’t flood, lists for $1.2 million. As part of the flood relief program, Johri and her client teamed up to offer $100,000 toward closing costs. Johri's other listings range from $200,000 to $800,000, with rebates on the sale’s price ranging anywhere from 5 to 10 percent.

“We’re honored that Lily Jang and KPRC showcased this home and our program,” said Johri. “I and my staff are determined to find new homes for as many displaced flood victims as possible.” The episode featuring the listing can be found at https://www.click2houston.com/consumer/home-showcase/home-showcase-open-houses-for-saturday-sept-16-2017.

About Woodlands Eco Realty

Woodlands Eco Realty is owned and operated by Priyanka Johri, a broker/realtor based in The Woodlands and serving Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Johri is part of the Montgomery County Leadership Team, the Houston Realtors International Advisory Board, and the Houston Realtors Technology Board. She is also part of Texas Realtors Leadership Program and the winner of prestigious Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of Realtors. She is a diplomat at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and helps local businesses grow and flourish in her community. Woodlands Eco Realty is located at 26519 Interstate 45 N, The Woodlands, TX 77380. For more information, call 832-277-3577 or visit www.WoodlandsEcoRealty.com.

As Hurricane Harvey loomed overhead and dumped trillions of gallons of water throughout the area, countless volunteers and first responders from all over came to offer their invaluable and lifesaving support. Many of them worked night and day helping trapped residents out of their homes. However, when it came time for them to stop their efforts for a few hours, they themselves had no homes to go to. That was when local community leader, Priyanka Johri, owner of Woodlands Eco Realty, literally opened her doors to these heroes as she provided fully stocked shelters for them.

“I learned about these incredible first responders and volunteer rescuers who were forced to sleep in their own cars because there was no more room at the shelters or hotels. These brave men and women needed a sanctuary where they could have warm, dry shelter, with a roof over their heads and hot meals in their stomachs,” said Johri. “I put out the call to the community, and within hours more than two dozen helpers came to assist in turning my offices into a shelter with bedding, clothing, food, and comfort so that our heroes could rest, recharge, their batteries, and continue their efforts.”

Additionally, Johri owns Pure Mutts Animal Sanctuary, a safe haven for elderly and special needs dogs. She and several volunteers also spent day after day rescuing trapped and abandoned pets and transporting them – frequently by boat – to her privately-run animal shelter.

“The waters have gone down, giving us relief, but we must be prepared for more natural disasters that may come our way in the future,” she said. In an effort to help residents prepare for and cope with such traumatic situations, she created a Hurricane Survival Guide in e-format. The guide is free to the public and can be downloaded from http://www.viewnorthhoustonhomes.com/info/hurricane-preparation-guide.

About Woodlands Eco Realty

Woodlands Eco Realty is owned and operated by Priyanka Johri, a broker/realtor based in The Woodlands and serving Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Johri serves on the Montgomery County Leadership Team, the Houston Realtors International Advisory Board, and the Houston Realtors Technology Board. She is also part of Texas Realtors Leadership Program and the winner of prestigious Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of Realtors. She is a diplomat at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and helps local businesses grow and flourish in her community. Woodlands Eco Realty is located at 26519 Interstate 45 N, The Woodlands, TX 77380. For more information, call 832-277-3577 or visit www.WoodlandsEcoRealty.com.

###