January 12th, 2010
It’s hard to believe, but summer is winding down already. We all want to squeeze the last drops of rest and relaxation out of the season, (regardless of whether or not we’ve had much of that previously). Well I would suggest a trip to a favorite East Texas stop. As Texans we are blessed with a wonderful system of State Parks. Tyler State Park puts the Texas Piney Woods on display both for locals and out of towners. The park is centered around a sixty four acre lake and offers a full array of activities including: swimming, hiking, boating, fishing and camping. There are bike trails of varying difficulty and campgrounds fully equipped with water, electricity, tables and fire pits. If a customer enjoys the outdoors but prefers the comforts of the indoors, there are screened shelters and cabins.
For day trips the swimming and boating area of the park is very convenient. There is a great beach with restrooms and a concession and gift shop close by. But East Texans need not worry about trying to cram a visit into a busy summer. In Texas some of the best out door time comes in the fall. What could be better than sitting by a fire on a cool autumn night? The Park is open all year although a few activities, (like swimming for instance) may be closed for the season. This is still one of the best times to camp however, due to a lack of bugs and the cooler weather.
The cost of an outing T.S.P. is quite reasonable. A day pass is just three dollars a day for those over thirteen years of age. For primitive campsites, (meaning sites with water but no electricity) the cost is just thirteen dollars a night. For campsites with water and electric, the cost is slightly higher at seventeen dollars a night. For campsites offering water, electric and sewer hook ups, (designated primarily for recreational vehicles) the cost is twenty dollars a night. If you desire all of these functions and spot by the lake, the cost is twenty two dollars a night, (tents are permitted in this area). Lastly, screened in areas are for rent as well at a rate of twenty five dollars a night.
For businesses, church groups, or others, there are numerous programs and venues for their organized events. The park periodically holds educational events for the public as well. For more information on these opportunities see the parks webpage at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/tyler, or call (903)597-5338. Tyler State park is located on highway fourteen just off Interstate twenty.
Whether you want to close your summer with a bang, or are already planning for a fall getaway this area park has a lot to offer at a reasonable rate. Consider maximizing your play time, minimizing your travel time, and spending that vacation money close to home.
Tags: Acre Lake, Autumn Night, Bike Trails, Boating Area, Campgrounds, Day Trips, East Texans, East Texas, Fire Pits, Hook Ups, Parks in East Texas, Piney Woods, Primitive Campsites, Restrooms, State Parks, Thirteen Dollars, Thirteen Years, Three Dollars, Two Dollars, Tyler State Park, Tyler TX State Park, UPS
Posted in Attractions, Fun | No Comments »
January 8th, 2010
Perhaps the fastest growing industry in Tyler is the medical industry. A drive through town on any given day seems to reveal a new medical center of one kind or another. East Texans have a plethora of choices for all stages of life and health care. Since 2003 they have been choosing Legacy hospice to care for themselves and their loved ones as they approach the close of their lives. Legacy is committed to providing answers and options to patients and families approaching this final stage of life.
Legacy is a small but growing, family run hospice that provides for both the physical and emotional needs which accompany the dying process. There are several varying degrees of care which depend upon the patient’s health. The degrees run from “Routine,” or at home care, to “Inpatient” around the clock care. Every form of counseling from dietary to spiritual is available. Doctors and nurses provide many different forms of therapy for the patient. The Hospice also couples with local nursing homes to help provide care to dying patients.
When it comes to emotional needs, the Chaplains offer council and support both to patients and their families. Bereavement care can be offered to a family for up to a year after the passing of a loved one. The Chaplain staff visits patients and loved ones in their homes or in the hospital, does regular check ups by phone or e-mail, and even helps with funeral and memorial services.
Legacy Hospice is fully covered by Medicaid and Medicare, as well as most other forms of insurance, and serves a large area of North East Texas.
Tags: Bereavement Care, Chaplains, Check Ups, Clock Care, Doctors And Nurses, Dying Process, E Mail, East Texans, East Texas, Elder Care in Tyler Texas, Growing Family, Hospice Care, Legacy Hospice, Medical Industry, New Medical Center, North East Texas, Nursing Homes, Plethora, Providing Answers, Staff Visits, Stage Of Life, Tyler Texas Hospice Care, UPS
Posted in Elder Care Tyler Texas | No Comments »
January 8th, 2010
Found at 600 on the AM radio dial, KTBB has been broadcasting to East Texas for many, many years. They carry a complete line-up of national talk radio programs. The daily routine features the three biggest personalities on the radio today, from Fox News personality Glen Beck in the morning, to famed political commentator Rush Limbaugh from 11:00 until 2:00, to another Fox News host Sean Hannity in the afternoon. KTBB 600 AM also has play by play Dallas Cowboys football. If your in or around the Tyler and East Texas area and need to hear the Cowboys football game than 600 AM should work.
As expected the Tyler Texas radio station’s views tend to the conservative side politically. Even the community affairs discussions seem to reflect a sort of common sense view of area news. While this may annoy the more progressive or liberal among us, the station does mirror the predominate views of East Texans.
The station also does a great job of keeping Tyler updated on local emergencies. If you rely on satellite for television service, you know how frustrating it can be to lose your signal in the middle of storm coverage. KTBB is a great back up for keeping ear out for those ever changing Texas weather patterns.
But KTBB is not longer confined to the AM dial. You can find local news weather and sports on 92.1 FM. Tyler favorite, David Smoak keeps us updated on the world of sports. “Smoaky,” broadcasts during the afternoon drive time and has become an institution in East Texas radio.
So if you like common sense, conservative politics, and your local news and events up to the minute, tune into KTBB 600 AM, or 92.1, whether at home, in the car, or at work. You’ll find you are both entertained and informed. See also http://www.ktbb.com
Tags: AM 600, Conservative Politics, Conservative Side, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys Football, David Smoak, East Texans, Fox News, Glen Beck, Glen Beck radio Tyler Texas, KTBB, Ktbb 600, KTBB AM 600, Minute Tune, Political Commentator, Radio Dial, radio station in East Texas covering Dallas Cowboys games, Radio Today, Rush Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh Radio Tyler Texas, Sean Hannity, Sense View, Storm Coverage, Texas Radio, Texas Weather, Tyler Texas Dallas Cowboys football radio, Weather Patterns
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November 11th, 2009
As a traditional male, I hate shopping. While they do have the advantage of offering a huge variety, department stores can be a source of frustration. Service is often bad, the stores become disorganized quickly, and I often find it necessary to sift through a lot of low quality merchandise before finding what I want. Of all the major department store chains however, I do have my favorite.
Target is not only a great department store, but as huge corporations go, it’s a good Tyler neighbor. Between the distribution center, located just south of Lindale, and the area stores, the company employs thousands of East Texans. It is also very involved in community affairs and local charities. The store itself is always neat and clean which for me can make or break the department store experience. I find there is almost nothing worse than wandering the aisles of a dirty disorganized store looking for the one thing I came to buy. Target usually does a great job keeping the store attractive and easy to navigate.
Another of the store’s strengths is its staff. The employees of Target’s biggest competitor in Tyler are often disheveled and unhelpful. Those of Target are always attractive, neat and knowledgeable.
I will concede that the store’s prices can be slightly higher, but I remind the reader that you tend to get what you pay for. And with the Christmas season just around the corner, I trust there will be a lot of sales to bring in even the thriftiest customers. The quality of products like clothing is definitely higher than the competition’s, and I should mention the selection is better, particularly for business casual attire.
So if you’re looking for a better shopping experience and better quality goods overall, I suggest giving Target a try. While it’s admittedly not a local business a good portion of the dollars spent there do stay home in Tyler Texas. Target is located at 7003 on South Broadway, next to Wal-Mart. For more on Tyler area department stores, see the Tyler blog section of this site and look for the title “Wal-Marts in Tyler.”
Tags: Aisles, Business Casual Attire, Christmas Season, Community Affairs, Competitor, Department Store Chains, Department Stores, Department stores Tyler TX, Distribution Center, East Texans, Low Quality, Quality Goods, Quality Merchandise, Shopping Experience, Source Of Frustration, South Broadway, Store Experience, target, Target in Tyler Texas, Target Tyler Texas, Tyler Area, Tyler Shopping Center, Tyler Texas, wal-mart
Posted in Shopping Centers | No Comments »
August 31st, 2009
There are a few organizations which have contributed to the culture of Tyler and East Texas for over a hundred years. One of the most trusted and beloved is the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army was founded as a missionary organization by William and Catherine Booth in 1878. The mission’s goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ to the needy and those without hope. The Army is so named because of the founder’s desire to combat poverty and injustice, as well as spread the gospel. Those ordained in ministry are called officers. The laity or common parishioners are called soldiers. Since its founding the ministry has grown into a world wide organization which operates in one hundred thirteen countries.
The Salvation Army deployed to Tyler Texas in 1897. The facility is named “the Center of Hope” and provides food, housing and job assistance to East Texans who find themselves out of work and or without a place to live. The local programs provide excellent guidelines and structure for those suffering from poverty and addiction and who are seeking to put their lives back in order. The mission provides a Christian based counseling service for those whose lives are in crisis. The organization preaches adherence to what it calls the five core values, passion, compassion, bravery, uplifting (or being a source of hope), and trustworthiness (as pertains to financial responsibility). Local programs include: disaster relief, emergency services, sheltering, substance abuse counseling and much, much more.
The local Salvation Army sponsors a number of fund raisers every year in order to cover the cost of operation. Events include luncheons, plays, golf tournaments, even a local fashion show. Nearly all the money raised goes directly to services for the needy. For more information on the Center of Hope and the Salvation Army go to their web site at www.salvationarmytyler.org or call 903-592-4361. They are located at 633 N Broadway Ave in Tyler.
Tags: Bravery, Center Of Hope, Core Values, Counseling Service, Disaster Relief, East Texans, East Texas, Financial Responsibility, Fund Raisers, Golf Tournaments, Laity, Luncheons, Missionary Organization, Parishioners, Salvation Army, salvation army tyler, Substance Abuse Counseling, Trustworthiness, Tyler Texas, William And Catherine Booth, World Wide Organization
Posted in Charities | No Comments »
National Politics and Local Coverage
January 8th, 2010Found at 600 on the AM radio dial, KTBB has been broadcasting to East Texas for many, many years. They carry a complete line-up of national talk radio programs. The daily routine features the three biggest personalities on the radio today, from Fox News personality Glen Beck in the morning, to famed political commentator Rush Limbaugh from 11:00 until 2:00, to another Fox News host Sean Hannity in the afternoon. KTBB 600 AM also has play by play Dallas Cowboys football. If your in or around the Tyler and East Texas area and need to hear the Cowboys football game than 600 AM should work.
As expected the Tyler Texas radio station’s views tend to the conservative side politically. Even the community affairs discussions seem to reflect a sort of common sense view of area news. While this may annoy the more progressive or liberal among us, the station does mirror the predominate views of East Texans.
The station also does a great job of keeping Tyler updated on local emergencies. If you rely on satellite for television service, you know how frustrating it can be to lose your signal in the middle of storm coverage. KTBB is a great back up for keeping ear out for those ever changing Texas weather patterns.
But KTBB is not longer confined to the AM dial. You can find local news weather and sports on 92.1 FM. Tyler favorite, David Smoak keeps us updated on the world of sports. “Smoaky,” broadcasts during the afternoon drive time and has become an institution in East Texas radio.
So if you like common sense, conservative politics, and your local news and events up to the minute, tune into KTBB 600 AM, or 92.1, whether at home, in the car, or at work. You’ll find you are both entertained and informed. See also http://www.ktbb.com
Tags: AM 600, Conservative Politics, Conservative Side, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys Football, David Smoak, East Texans, Fox News, Glen Beck, Glen Beck radio Tyler Texas, KTBB, Ktbb 600, KTBB AM 600, Minute Tune, Political Commentator, Radio Dial, radio station in East Texas covering Dallas Cowboys games, Radio Today, Rush Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh Radio Tyler Texas, Sean Hannity, Sense View, Storm Coverage, Texas Radio, Texas Weather, Tyler Texas Dallas Cowboys football radio, Weather Patterns
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