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The 2011 Tyler Area Parade of Homes

May 10th, 2011

Hard as it is to believe, it’s nearly time for the Tyler Area Parade of Homes to start again. It seems like only a couple of weeks ago that I was writing about this same event, but believe it or not, our area is gearing up once again for the annual tour. It started in 1953 as a way for local builders to demonstrate their craft for local potential clients. At the time the tour contained only ten homes and a handful of builders. Since then it has grown to include more than fifty homes and now includes both contractors and subcontractors.

So who exactly attends this event every year? All of East Texas actually. It’s not just folks in construction or real-estate who enjoy touring the area homes. It’s anyone looking for any kind of design or decorating ideas. It’s also attended by folks like my dad who watch home improvement and design shows religiously. The fact that our housing market is so depressed may actually bring out more house tourists as well. While I certainly can’t afford to own a new luxury home perhaps I can live vicariously through those who can. Evidently this year’s route has route has yet to be announced, but word should be out by the time tickets go on sale May thirty first.

Each year a portion of the proceeds go to a local charity or two. This year’s charities are the Path Children’s Programs and Azleway Boy’s Ranch. The Parade of Homes runs from June 4th to the 12th. The Daily schedule looks like this: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. For more information and history on the Tyler Area Builders Association, Parade of Homes, visit the following website: http://www.tylerareabuilders.com/whats-happening/parade-of-homes.html

Wendy’s Headache

January 4th, 2010

 

Fast food is good for one thing, fast cheap food for the person on the go. You think that it would be very important to be accurate filling a costumer’s full order. Rarely has Wendy’s  in Tyler Texas gotten my order right with out me having to go into the store to correct their mistakes. Even if you clearly state your simple order, they still seem to not understand.

One day I went out to eat with my dad to Wendy’s as I walked up to the counter I asked a simple question, “what dressing do you have for your salads?” The question was simple enough but it was even more simple since the young man had the list of dressings right in front of him. He stumbled through every word. Not to critisize the young man but I have never heard of a dressing called “veng…van…whatever that is”. If an employee cannot read the menu leave them to flip the patties.

One of the best things about Wendy’s is the famous frosty. Being such a popular menu item you would think that it would be available, at the Lindale Wendy’s (right off the interstate) seems like it’s ice cream machine is always out of order. But this little issue is just one of the many things wrong with this fast food store. The employees are extremely rude. More accounts than one have I been gripped at because they did not get my order right. I have worked at places that I did not want to work, and dreaded going to work as much as the next guy, but you smile and be polite, and don’t take your issues out on costumers.

I have found that every once in awhile you can get something that tastes somewhat like food at Wendy’s. I despise the service and attitude at this fast food chain its ridiculous! I know each store should be different with a different attitude, but some how it’s the over-all attitude of the food chain.

If you are trying to get your food and go on your way, I would skip Wendy’s. If you want what you ordered without headache and without having to go into the store to correct their mistakes about three different times, Wendy’s is not your restaurant.

Jalpita Mexican Restaurant

December 21st, 2009
Jalpita Mexican Restaurant

Jalpita Mexican Restaurant

Jalpita Mexican Restaurant and Taqueria

813 Lindsey Lane,
Tyler Texas

(903) 526-7707

When we pulled into the parking lot of Jalpita Mexican restaurant I thought to myself, “No way.” My dad had suggested eating at Jalpita, but this was not what I had in mind. The building was rather rundown and it was not located in the best part of town. I was reluctant to venture in, but dad assured me that he had eaten there several times, and the food was great. So reluctantly I put my trust in him and went inside. At the counter I noticed that the food on the menu was very inexpensive; everything was around three dollars. This turned me off even more with the saying in mind, “You will get what you pay for.” At my father’s suggestion, I ordered a “Super Quesadilla.” From the first bite, I was very surprised and pleased; the food was delicious! Here was some of the best Mexican food I had ever eaten and there was a lot of it for only $3.50.

I eat at Jalpita often now, and I am always surprised at the variety of people who patronize the restaurant. In the parking lot one can see anything from a beat up pickup truck, to a shiny new BMW. Jalpita is located on Lindsey Lane, which is off of Vine Avenue, and there is now a branch on the N, NE Loop 323. Despite its looks, Jalpita offers great food for low prices. It is now my number one choice for Tyler TX Mexican food.

Glow in the Dark Media

December 21st, 2009

As a child, I grew up watching my father try to create a production company called Glow in the Dark Creative Media. In the beginning, he and his business partner lacked personnel, social connections, and money for nice equipment. Time after time, the business was turned down for jobs due to lack of experience. I felt bad for him when he came home from a long week of work, and still had little business coming in. Some years were financially harder than others, but dad never lost hope and always worked hard. The lack of funds made hiring employees nearly impossible. Most of the time my father and his business partner had to do double, even triple the work in order to get things done, but all the hard labor and diligence slowly began to pay off.

Over the years, dad gained more and more knowledge about media, editing, and advertisement; as his knowledge grew, so did his business and clientele. Dad’s creativity and work ethic drew more clients to the business. Finally after five or six years, dad was able to hire his first employees. The workers helped to complete projects more quickly, but at times it made finances even tighter. This made yet another difficult situation, but as time progressed and through even more work, this problem was also solved. Dad taught and still teaches all of his employees how to master each job required for media production. The business’ clientele began to grow and new jobs poured in. Initially, the business only filmed football games and weddings, but they have since branched out and began filming commercials, promotional videos, music videos, and even local movies. Word has spread about the business, and the small company is currently receiving job offers from out of state. Now with nearly a decade’s worth of experience, more employees, and updated equipment, Dad’s small, yet productive, business still continues to grow to this day.

Chili’s in Tyler Texas

November 5th, 2009

One of the many restaurant chains that stretches through the U.S. and reaches into our little city is the Chili’s restaurant. No one forgets the “Baby back ribs”; but I am not sure if it is because of the taste or because of the obnoxious little song that stays in your head for months at a time.

You can always find any food that you are craving on the long listed Chili’s menu. You will always be able to find great barbecue, ribs, steak, and chicken. Try one of their great barbecue sauces. Great pasta, Mexican, or burger, have your favorite food here.

But Chili’s is much more to me than the prices, decent foods, or annoying songs. My most fond memories happened at this restaurant. When I walk into the restaurant, memories flood my mind of my first date, or when we ate there right after my husband proposed. My family ate there right before my brother was sent over seas with the military. I was even eating at Chili’s when I went into labor with my oldest child. I used to go to Chili’s every week to hang out with a big group of friends. Most of my most happy and fond memories have something to do with Chili’s.

I have had the best service here, but also I have had the worst service, and not to mention the most odd. It seems like when I am in a smaller group for some reason the service is so much worse than if I am with a bunch of people. One time I went to Chili’s for my dad’s birthday with just a few people. There was probably five of us that day. I remember the restaurant was not very crowded and there seemed to be a lot of people working, you would think that the service would be really great. But of course, we are blessed with the most obnoxious person as a waiter in the city of Tyler. When I told him that we were the celebrating my dad’s birthday, he laughed and walked away shaking his head. I just wanted to embarrass my dad and have to annoying waiters and waitresses yell their own version of “Happy Birthday” through the whole restaurant out of key. I don’t really understand why he wouldn’t believe me or why he made it such a big deal.

If this was the only strange issue I would not have any issues. I would have been happy with the service if my food was how I ordered it or if it came out with in the forty five minutes of ordering. I probably would not be writing about this situation if this was the only time Chili’s slow services disappointed me. But sadly this has happened a few times and I have left upset, but it was nothing compared to the times I have left confused by the extremely strange waiters that I have had.

One time I was eating dinner their with my husband and we had the weirdest person that I have ever met as our waiter. He would repeat our orders so loud you could hear him throughout the restaurant and all through out the parking lot. He would try to make us laugh with corny jokes. He did come to our table a lot but I really did not want him to. That was extremely frustrating and did I mention annoying?

Though I have had very different experiences each time I go there I do really like Chili’s for the food and the prices. You can relax and have a drink in the bar and watch the game. You can not find prices like these anywhere else. So come on by Chili’s and be sure to have an experience, even though it might not be the greatest experience.