Mother Nature intervened at this year's Nature Fest in Bridgeland, but not before more than 10,000 people arrived to see movie star monkeys, ride a camel and go kayaking.

Event-goers enjoyed morning performances of the Feathers in Flight aerialist duo, the Crocodile Encounter and Staples Safari Zoo's Primarily Primates show, which featured a capuchin monkey who starred with Eddie Murphy in "Dr. Dolittle." Touring the zoo, riding camels and ponies, and navigating Lake Bridgeland on kayaks and paddleboats also were popular pastimes. Children enjoyed outdoor laser tag, a playground of inflatable equipment, bubble runners and bumper boats. Gourmet food trucks — including some of Houston's most popular — kept hunger growls at bay.

The afternoon's main attraction — an attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD Records® title for most simultaneous bird calls — was cut short due to the start of a torrential downpour that would leave up to eight inches of rain in some areas of Houston.

"We saw the approaching storm on radar and advanced the attempt to try and set a new record before the rain started, but it moved in too swiftly," said Lona Shipp, marketing manager for Bridgeland. "With the crowds of people attending the event this year, we should have easily

been able to break the previous record of 801 people whistling a bird call.

"Nature Fest has grown each year and it's apparent that it has become a much-anticipated event for the entire Cypress area and beyond, which is something we were hoping to achieve."

Entrance into Nature Fest was free; however, a few activities required a small donation benefiting Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County (NWHC). Nearly $1,700 was raised for the 24-year-old organization.

This is the sixth year for Nature Fest in Bridgeland, an 11,400-acre community that is ranked No. 4 in Houston and No. 15 in the nation for 2012 sales. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Howard Hughes Corporation and part of The Woodlands Development Company.

Brian Staples, left, lets John Mitchell, 9, pet "Wilson," a movie star capuchin that appeared with Eddie Murphy in "Dr. Dolittle." The monkey was one of more than 100 rescued and rehabilitated animals Staples brought to this year's Nature Fest in Bridgeland.

About Bridgeland

Bridgeland is an 11,400-acre master planned community in Cypress, Texas, located between U.S. 290 and Interstate 10 on Fry Road and bisected by a segment of the Grand Parkway scheduled for completion in late 2013. Managed by The Woodlands Development Company, Bridgeland and The Woodlands share the same development philosophy and benefit from The Woodlands' 40 years of successful real estate development. Both communities are listed among the top-selling master planned communities in Texas and the nation and offer a wide variety of housing options, extensive outdoor recreation and a focus on environmental preservation. For more information, visit www.bridgeland.com.

About The Howard Hughes Corporation

The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, manages and develops commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its properties include master planned communities, operating properties, development opportunities and other unique assets spanning 18 states from New York to Hawaii. The Howard Hughes Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHC and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. For additional information about HHC, visit www.howardhughes.com.

Taylor Morrison has given Houston home buyers another reason to consider the home builder's innovative Interactive Home concept - free upgrades to the area's industry-leading connected home system.

     From now until May 31, home buyers who choose a Taylor Morrison home with Interactive Home system will also receive free upgrades - a Prestige thermostat with interview-based programming, a smart device charging station and an exterior coach light that can be controlled by the Interactive Home system.

     "You could say the smartest home on the block just got smarter," said Jim Ellison, vice president of sales for Taylor Morrison Houston. "With the addition of these free upgrades, homeowners will be able to remotely program the temperature of their home and turn their exterior lights on and off with any smart device."

     The Prestige thermostat features all-in-one controls that include a dehumidification system, outdoor air sensor and remote access from any smart device.

     With the free coach light upgrade, homeowners can remotely turn their exterior lighting on and off while they are away from their home and also program their lights to turn on at dusk and off at dawn - an added safety measure for any Houston family.

     And charging smart devices is much easier with the upgraded charging station, which charges up to three smart devices at the same time while helping to reduce clutter.

     For more information on Taylor Morrison's Huston communities, please visit www.taylormorrison.com.

Westin Homes, the builder of the 2013 Project Playhouse, has created a playhouse theme that is "out of this world".

     The playhouse design is an imaginative "playship" that features a cockpit complete with swivel seats, "rocket booster" - framed windows, an operable hatched - ramp door and interior detailing that will inspire a child's imagination. The playship will also include stellar amenities such as air conditioning, 32" LCD TV, XBOX, and an MP3 player.

     The playhouse will be at the GHBA New Home & Remodeling Show (NHRS) on June 8th and 9th. It will then be on display at Minute Maid Park from June 25th through July 4th. The drawing for the playship winner will be on July 4th at Minute Maid Park.

     The Westin Homes 'Orbiteers' team includes: Mike Carter, David Dorn, Jason Golan, Lana Herff, Brent Houser, Patrick Mayhan, and Matt Roland of Westin Homes and Sharon Geedman, Lauren Simpson and Adam Steward of Baker One Design.

     Tickets are only $5 and your purchase helps support HomeAid's mission "to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives." Click here to purchase your tickets now to win this fun-filled and exciting playship for your little explorer!

     Project Playhouse is sponsored by the Greater Houston Builders Association in partnership with the Houston Astros and the Astros Foundation. Hall of Fame Sponsors include Apex Foundation, Bank of America, Pella Windows & Doors, United America Air Systems. Ultimate Grand Slam Sponsor is Rock Materials.

     For sponsorship informatione contact Lea Pipitone at 713.705.4441 or email lpipitone@homeaidhouston.org.

Alvin Community College Students Honored at President's Tea

Alvin Community College students were recognized for their academic excellence during the annual President's Tea. ACC President Rodney Allbright recognized 20 students as Presidential Scholars for their academic accomplishments throughout the school year. To be eligible for the Presidential Scholar distinction, students must have completed a minimum 45 semester hours and maintained at least a 3.9 GPA. Additional requirements include 18 of those credits must be Core Curriculum and 12 semester hours must be completed in the past calendar year. Recipients also have no record of any academic dishonesty or disciplinary charges.

The Presidential Scholars are from left, front row: Jennifer Abernathy, of Houston; Karen Cook, of Rosharon and Patton Ritter, of Alvin. Back row from left: Jennifer Kleinhenz, of Manvel; Adrienne Giles Ruth, of Pearland; Jerry Dunnigan, of Manvel; Marshall Mosley, of Manvel; Sarah Coe, of Friendswood; ; Zachary Gruetzner, of Pearland; Bethanie Sterling, of Alvin and ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright. Not pictured are Jasmine Cabrera, of Rosharon; Shayan Arshad, of Alvin; Renee Bland, of Alvin; Matthew Driscoll, of Santa Fe; Luisa Garza, of Freeport; Kay Kozlowski, of Friendswood; Jessica Kyle, of Dickinson; Jonathan Singleton, of Alvin and Amanda Threadgill, of Alvin.

Alvin Community College Recognized Students for Academic Excellence at Awards Day Ceremony

Scholarship winners included Zach Gruetzner, of Pearland, who was given the President's Award. Grueztner is an ACC Student Ambassador and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society. The U.S. Marine veteran and former Pearland Police officer also volunteers with the Student Veterans Association. During his time as a Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography student Gruetzner served as a liaison between students and the DCVS faculty.

     Nursing and Health Science student Jennifer Kleinhenz, of Manvel, was awarded the Dean F.J. Phillips Memorial Scholarship for $900. Kleinhenz is a member of the ACC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and she volunteers with the Alvin Nursing Student Association.

     Ellida Ortega, of Alvin, received the Dean's Scholarship for $350. Ortega is the 2013-14 president for ACC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. She is seeking a degree in counseling.

     Many other students also were honored and given scholarships during the ceremony. The scholarships were awarded by several ACC departments and civic organizations including the Alvin Noon Lions Club, Alvin Kiwanis Club, American Association of University Women and Soroptimist International.

_{ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright, left, presents student Zach Gruetzner, of Pearland, with the President's Award.}

_{ACC President Dr. Rodney Allbright, left, gives student Jennifer Kleinhenz, of Manvel, the Dean F.J. Phillips Memorial Scholarship.}

_{ACC Dean of Instruction and Provost Dr. John Bethschieder, right, gives student Ellida Ortega, of Alvin, the Dean's Scholarship .}

Alvin Community College Choir Spring Concert

_{ACC Choir Director Kevin Moody, right, performs with choir members during the Spring Concert.}

The Alvin Community College Choir's Spring Concert included both solo and group performances. The music was from several genres such as classical, oldies, show tunes and more. The songs included My Funny Valentine, Mandy, The Love of My Life and many more. For more information about the ACC Music program visit www.alvincollege.edu/music.

Alvin Community College Rolls Out Clubs, Programs and More at Open House

_{ACC History instructor Chris Chance, right, talks with students Josh Slusser and Maria Slusser, both of Alvin, during Open House on April 16.}

More than 200 Alvin Community College students and potential students had a chance to learn about what the college has to offer during the annual Open House event on April 17. Culinary Arts, Welding, Massage Therapy, student clubs and many more hosted booths and provided information to students considering their options at ACC. Many programs also had demonstrations to show students what they would be doing if they enrolled. College staff members also spoke with students about the variety of services available at ACC including Financial Aid, student advising and career counseling. Six $250 scholarships were awarded to students during the event. The winners are Kirby Lambert, Brady Hudson, Cody Castro, John Joe Camacho, Rebecca Garza and Gina Cabrera, all of Alvin. To learn more about ACC, visit alvincollege.edu or call 281-756-3500.

Photo of Stephen Klineberg

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce will host a Demographics and Diversity: The Fort Bend County Impact seminar on Thursday, June 20, 2013. The luncheon will be held at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77407, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.

Hear from Stephen Klinberg, Ph. D from the Rice University Department of Sociology about the diversity and demographic transformations shaping the Fort Bend County region.

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce's Programs and Special Events Division continues to provide valuable events that can impact the bottom line for those living and working in the Fort Bend region. Ultimately, impacting the economic multiplier effect as our organization represents. Details of upcoming seminars can be found at www.FortBendChamber.com.

Keep informed and engaged by attending this important and relevant luncheon. Sponsor tables available for $1,200 - Corporate tables of 8 available for $400 - Individual Member Reservations available for $35 - Non-Members available for $45 – At the door $45. Register today at www.FortBendChamber.com or contact Matthew Ferraro at 281-491-0277 or Matthew@fortbendcc.org.

"The secret in Fort Bend County is actually very simple. Do business and network in Fort Bend County. For over 40 years, the Fort Bend Chamber has diligently fulfilled its mission to serve as the advocate for business excellence in Fort Bend County. When it comes to meeting the premier business leaders of Fort Bend, the best place for networking success is the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. As a member, you are welcome and included in the happenings of one of America's fastest growing counties. Success in business is what you make of it, so make the most of it with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce ... where success is just around the Bend! Visit www.FortbendChamber.com to learn more."

Fluor Corporation was awarded a contract by The Dow Chemical Company to execute a significant portion of its U.S. Gulf Coast investments. Fluor's scope includes the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of a propane dehydrogenation unit, an ethane cracker, and associated power, utilities and infrastructure facility upgrades to support each unit.

     The facilities will be constructed in Dow's Oyster Creek facility in Freeport, Texas. Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value into backlog in the first quarter of 2013.

     "Fluor has had a strong and long-standing relationship with Dow, supporting some of the industry's most challenging and innovative projects," said Peter Oosterveer, president of Fluor's Energy & Chemicals Group. "This is a significant endeavor by Dow to process hydrocarbons from the domestic shale formations, and we are pleased to continue our support of their efforts."

     Fluor's Sugar Land, Texas, office will lead the EPC and self-perform construction phases of the project with additional support provided from the company's Asia Pacific operations.

The City of Pearland and Brazoria County will open the Westside Library on Wednesday, May 15. The grand opening for the 6,000 sq. feet facility is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the library located at 2803 Business Center Drive, Suite 101 in Pearland.

     The grand opening ceremony will include brief remarks from local officials, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and will culminate with self-guided tours of the facility. Residents are invited to the grand opening which includes light refreshments.

     The push for a new library on Pearland's west side was a grassroots effort initiated more than two years ago by the Friends of Pearland Westside Library when the West Side Event Center, which had functioned as a small drop-off and pick-up library location for the west side of the city, saw an overwhelming demand.

    The library is made possible through a partnership between the City of Pearland and Brazoria County and is a branch of the Brazoria County Library System. Construction Masters of Houston began construction of the $375,000 facility in January of this year.

THE WOODLANDS, TX – (Monday, May 06, 2013) – The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Howard Hughes Corporation (NYSE: HHC), today announced that PetroQuest Energy, Inc. has signed a 13,091-square-foot lease for a regional office on the second floor of One Hughes Landing, the first office building to be constructed at Hughes Landing, a 66-acre mixed-use development situated on 200-acre Lake Woodlands.  With construction underway, One Hughes Landing is 35% pre-leased.

The anticipated completion date is September 2013 for One Hughes Landing, a 197,000-square-foot, Class A, eight-story office building.  PetroQuest Energy will begin construction with the opening of One Hughes Landing, with an expected completion date in November 2013.

Designed by Gensler of Houston to be LEED Silver Certified, One Hughes Landing will be the first of up to eight office buildings at Hughes Landing on Lake Woodlands, a unique destination within The Woodlands that will feature upscale restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, a specialty grocer, a hotel accommodating business and leisure travel and multi-family residences for approximately 1,000 people.  A pier and mews will create a walkable environment for residents, employees and visitors, adjacent to The Woodlands Town Center.

"PetroQuest Energy is a welcome addition to One Hughes Landing," said Alex Sutton, Co-President of The Woodlands Development Company. "Hughes Landing on Lake Woodlands is a desirable area for businesses and urban living, offering panoramic lake views in a pedestrian-friendly setting while encompassing dining, retail and entertainment."

PetroQuest Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the Arkoma Basin, Wyoming, Texas, South Louisiana and the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  PetroQuest's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker PQ.

TWDC was represented by Robert S. Parsley and Norman V. Munoz of Colliers International while PetroQuest Energy was represented by Jim Pratt with Colliers International.

Photo Caption

PetroQuest Energy has signed a lease on the second floor of One Hughes Landing (rendering pictured), the first office building to be constructed at Hughes Landing, a 66-acre mixed-use development situated on 200-acre Lake Woodlands.

About The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. Throughout its 39-year history, The Woodlands has led the way among master-planned communities that practice environmental preservation.  It is home to more than 105,000 people, and more than 50,000 people work in the community.  The Woodlands is ranked the #1 Top-Selling Master-Planned Community in Texas and #3 in the U.S. by RCLCO, based on 2012 new home sales.  For more information, visit www.thewoodlands.com. 

About The Howard Hughes Corporation

The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, manages and develops commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Our properties include master planned communities, operating properties, development opportunities and other unique assets spanning 18 states from New York to Hawaii. The Howard Hughes Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHC and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. For additional information about HHC, visit www.howardhughes.com. 

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "enables," "realize", "plan," "intend," "transform" and other words of similar expression, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, assumptions, and projections as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth as risk factors in The Howard Hughes Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly and Annual Reports.  The Howard Hughes Corporation cautions you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The Howard Hughes Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.