Nearly every summer we, here at Tyler TX Directory, put out a list of summer activities as suggestions for East Texas parents. Keeping the kids busy and maybe even learning a little something, during the summer months can be a challenge. Family vacations are generally more difficult than years past, due to financial concerns, so the trick is making the summer fun and memorable without going overboard on expenses. So our suggestions are as follows:
The Caldwell Zoo is always on the list, but hey it’s always fun educational and is ever improving. It remains an area favorite. The Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum looks from the outside like an odd place for a family museum, but trust us, it’s a great stop. (It’s graced our site on numerous occasions already, so feel free to scroll through the attractions column on the right for more info). Discovery Science Place is located in downtown Tyler and is a growing attraction in our area. Admittedly it’s been a while since I’ve checked it out but I’m hearing it mentioned more and more by local parents. This summer the museum is welcoming a traveling exhibit called Predator and Prey. And here are the summer activities schedule for the Caldwell Zoo:
ZOO MEMBERS’ ONLY EVENING AT THE ZOO
Come enjoy a special evening at the zoo! ZooMembers are welcome to bring a picnic supper or enjoy food from our Chakula Cafe. There will be behind-the-scenes looks at our newly refurbished cat enclosures as well as keeper chats throughout the evening. Of course, you will want to stop by the concession stands for a complimentary small sno-cone and have fun feeding the birds at Wild Bird Walkabout with a complimentary seed stick
June 8 5:00-8:00 p.m.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE AT THE ZOO
Celebrate our country’s birthday! Caldwell Zoo appreciates our country’s military personnel! On July 4th, the zoo will give one free admission with a valid military ID.
DON’T STEP ON A BEE DAY
July 10th is set aside each year as “Don’t Step on a Bee Day.” Don’t bee left out–make a beeline for the African Huts where we’ll have a hive-full of fun activi-bees.
July 7 1:30-4:00 p.m.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Bring your small fry to the African Huts for some swimming-good fishy fun.
August 25 1:30-4:00 p.m.
ELEPHANT APPRECIATION DAY
There will be a trunk-load of elephant fun on the African Overlook.
September 22 1:30-4:00 p.m.
One area attraction that is often overlooked in our area is the Hudnall Planetarium. The Planetarium is located at Tyler Junior College, and to my surprise, has actually begun advertising on local television. Hudnall has really great programs running this summer, including IMAX films. Visit their web page for more information. http://www.tjc.edu/cesse/ I love making trips to the Gulf Coast, in fact I hope visit the beach at some point this summer. Now I may or may not be able to make that happen, but I know a visit to Tyler State Park,is always a possibility. Great campsites and a sandy beach are never more than an hour away for most Tylerites. For older students and or children, The Historical Aviation Memorial Museum, and The American Freedom Museum,are two of my documented favs.
The popular Faulkner Park splash park is a great free option for the summer time. This is a small water based park inside of Faulkner park which is known for mainly being a softball and tennis court park with some biking and hiking trails. I think you will find the splash park to be a fun place to bring the kids and there are two playgrounds at this park as well when the kids want to do something not water based.
Many local churches are holding Vacation Bible School programs this summer as well. Most use a standardized curriculum which allows potential students multiple opportunities to get on board at some point over the break. Christ Episcopal Church is holding theirs from June, 25ththrough the 29th. https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/CEC/gpgs/Home.aspx, www.christchurchtyler.org I’m no doubt leaving off some good stops and events, but for those of us wanting to fill the kids summer days with something other than Xbox and Boomerang, I think these are a good start. As a parting note I should also remind readers that we are living through a golden age of Ranger’s Baseball, so if the cost is affordable, what better summer memory then a family outing at the ball park?
I recently had two procedures done on my leg to remove varicose veins. The first procedure was the Endovenous Laser Ablation which heated the inside of the vein causing it to close. The second procedure was the Ambulatory Microphlebectomy which some veins were removed through small incisions.
During the procedures a few things went wrong. The facility did not have non latex gloves and I am allergic to latex. I told them before they started that I’m allergic to latex but Dr Robbins and his staff used the latex gloves anyway. He did ask me what kind of reaction I have and I said usually a rash and very itchy. Another thing that went wrong was during the Microphlebectomy a small vein was either left partly out of the incision or it somehow came out. I didn’t know this until I removed the bandage a few days later and that vein was stuck on the bandage. 
The recovery was harder than I thought it’d be, mostly because it was so itchy the next day. I took some Benadryl and that helped. I probably should have brought my own gloves or refused to let them use latex gloves. Taking off the bandage was painful because a small vein was attached to it and I had to pull it off. The vein mostly went back in the incision and just left a tiny pink bubble which turned to a scab. There was a sore tight cramp in my thigh which was expected but it wasn’t too bad and eventually faded away.
They did try to charge me for the visit that they told me was free and I told Mary at the checkout desk that I thought the Dr wasn’t going to charge me because of the vein that was left hanging out. She put a note on my papers and I received a call later and was told that the Dr didn’t mess up on my leg and he was just being nice and not charging for that visit. I’m thinking Ok, whatever, as long as I’m not charged anymore.
I left them a box of non latex gloves in case someone else is allergic to latex. I really am shocked that they didn’t have any.