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Register For Fall Classes Early at One of Tyler’s Great Private Schools

April 30th, 2011

Another school year is wrapping up and on most of our minds is the hoopla surrounding graduation, summer vacation, higher electric bills due to cooling costs, etc. etc. But for most area students, the fall semester is just around the corner. I realize that for some, its sacrilege to bring that up now, but it will be here before we know it. For those of us who teach, the cycles of the school year are the unending patterns that govern our lives… but I digress. At least in private schools, every fall there’s a mad rush to recruit as many new students at the last minute as possible. This is especially true for jr. high and high schoolers, who are notorious for waiting to the last, minute to register. Elementary parents are typically far more conscientious about early registration. I can assure the reader, that your children’s school appreciates the fore thought.

Another great concern for area private educators is the tendency many families have to save money in tough financial times, by pulling their students out of private education and enrolling them in public schools. While I certainly understand the need to pare back on monthly expenses, as a parent there is very little I wouldn’t sacrifice to keep my son in a solid academic environment and out of the government schools! A solid education (particularly a religious one) is an investment in a child’s future, which will pay dividends in an ever- changing world. For families who find themselves in a tough financial bind, but who are committed to their children’s private academic excellence, I recommend looking at other (hopefully more inexpensive) options in our area this summer, before placing their students in public schools.

Tyler is blessed with just about every conceivable kind of private school, from pre-K to twelfth grade. In fact I can think of a couple small start-up schools that opened last semester and another is preparing to open in the fall! Schools are becoming more and more like churches in our town (not surprising I guess since many are actually housed in and operated by local congregations). In actuality, we don’t need any more of either here. We have some tremendous, churches and some great schools, Rather than opening new ones we need to participate in and support those we already have. Certainly we can all find a place with an approach and a philosophy with whom we can at least mostly agree!

We here at Tyler Directory have written about nearly all the private schools and educational models available in our area. To read about specific schools and or, their philosophies of education, look to the bottom right of this page, and click the education tab for a list of articles.

The X Makes It Sound Cool

January 12th, 2010

Game X Change in Tyler TX

Long ago, gamers grew tired of being exploited by insatiable corporations charging sixty dollars for a game that hardly began to live up to its own promises. Having not the power to challenge the mighty corporations for their money back the gamers rebelled and took the mighty business model of the pawn shop and combined it with the even more powerful horde of unclean teenagers and teenage like men that comprised the gaming community to form a amalgamation that in the end would forget its origin and return to greedy price gouging.

This, of course, is the story of Game X Change in Tyler Texas, a store wearing the disguise of friendly fellow gamer and good intentions but on the inside it’s full of a bunch of lazy, indifferent, and underpaid high schoolers who were lured to the job with the notion that somehow being surrounded by toys means you don’t have to provide any sort of legitimate service to the customers. Game X Change’s basic strategy is simple enough, you give them a game or movie and they will give you two thirds of what that video game or movie is worth in real money or half of what it’s worth in store credit.

This may seem like a measly pay off for your hard earned game but remember you got at least some game play out of it, think of this as a bonus or as recycling. Either way you’re losing money, so try and spend it on a game you know won’t disappoint.

Movies in Tyler Texas

December 20th, 2009

For showtimes at all the movie theaters in Tyler we recommend using an online service like Flixter, Fandango, or RottenTomatoes

Because Tyler, TX is a mid-sized city that is overshadowed by titans like Dallas and Fort Worth, people often say there is nothing to do in the city. There are no pro sports teams, and major concerts with big name artists are rare. Maybe this is true to a degree but virtually ever resident of Tyler Texas love movies and restaurants. There are hundreds of restaurants in the city, but there are three movie theaters: The Hollywood Rose, Carmike 14, and Times Square Cinema. Below is a brief description of each of these.

Movie Theaters in Tyler

Hollywood Rose Cinema

Cost for a regular admission ticket: $7.75

This west Tyler theater was built in the 1990’s, and remains a popular choice for many young people in the city. However, “The Tyler Rose” is generally considered the worst theater in Tyler. The staff members appear to hate their jobs, and the floor is perpetually sticky. The movie viewing, too, is subpar. Expect problems with the projector and sound, and maybe even the temperature. But the biggest problem with The Tyler Rose is the chaotic atmosphere. The theater is ground zero for high school loiterers who have nothing better to do than attract attention to themselves. Fights are routine, and there are often policemen roaming the premises. For other high schoolers, this might be an attractive atmosphere. But not for parents who want to send their kid to a movie, and not for adults who just want to watch a film in peace.[ad#large-blog-block]

Carmike 14 in Tyler

Cost for a regular admission ticket: $8.25

Carmike 14 is Tyler’s largest and most modern theater. It is located close to a hoard of shopping outlets on South Broadway such as Kohls, Target, Walmart Super Center, and Gander Mountain. Carmike 14 is a fine theater, offering digital projection and 3-D movies (when they are available.) The staff are generally cheerful and competent. The stadium seating, too, is great. I have few qualms with Carmike 14, other than the slightly higher prices and the problem of crowds. But at least the crowds are there because it’s a good theater, unlike The Tyler Rose.

Times Square Cinema

Cost for a regular admission ticket: $7.50

Long before The Tyler Rose or Carmike 14 were ever built, movies in Tyler Texas were being shown 7 days a week at a little theater in Times Square on South Broadway. The theater has just six screens, and a small staff. It has an entirely different feel than most modern theaters. It’s a much more down to earth atmosphere because it is a family owned and operated business. When you go there, you can expect digital projection, 3-D viewing, and a clean atmosphere. The screens are smaller than the ones at the other theaters, but the experience is better overall. The best part? The high school kids prefer to hang out at the bigger places. Times Square patrons are their to watch movies, not to attract (or repulse) potential mates.

Video Rentals in Tyler

If you prefer to rent movies in Tyler Texas, there are still two Blockbuster video stores, one on 5th and Beckham, and one on Troupe in the Green Acres Shopping Center. Hollywood Video is still renting to customers on South Broadway. Ten years ago, this city was crawling with video stores! But the advent of Netflix and RedBox movie kiosks have made those places irrelevant. If you want to rent a movie in Tyler, it’s easier and cheaper to drop into WalMart or MacDonalds. Update: Netflix and Redbox have destroyed all rental movie stores. Sorry but you will have to mail order your video rentals, do pay per view, or use the redbox and blockbuster video vending machines around town.

Times Square Cinema: The Grown-up’s Choice

November 11th, 2009

First, you must understand that Times Square in Tyler bears no resemblance in any way, shape, or form to the famous Times Square in New York City. It has always intrigued young Tylerites that this name was ever chosen. Times Square shopping center, featuring staples like Casa Ole, Racquet & Jog, and Double Dave’s Pizzaworks have exactly nothing in common with New York City. But that doesn’t mean that Times Square in Tyler is without merit. Not only are the restaurants good and the location accessible, but the the The Times Square Cinema is a long-standing staple in the city.

Times Square Cinema is a small, privately owned, old time-feel family theater, which is a rarity in the modern age of mega-30 screen cinemaplexes. It is considerably smaller than the Tyler Rose in west Tyler, and a fraction of the size of Carmike 14. Nevertheless, The Times Square Cinema is a nice alternative for those who get tired of the crowds at the other locations. The theater offers digital projection, and 3-D viewing for movies that offer it. The snack bar isn’t huge, but it’s good, and cheaper than the other theaters as well. The staff here are friendly and productive, keeping a smile on their faces, and popcorn off the floor. It is a clean and pleasant place to watch a movie.

This theater is the cheapest in Tyler. Adult tickets are $7.50, a full $.75 cheaper than Carmike. Granted, the screens are not as large, and the infrastructure not as impressive. But the experience should be good, nevertheless.

Who should come to Times Square Cinema? Grown ups. Times Square is no longer a hip hang out place for high schoolers who prefer to congregate in massive crowds. They go to The Tyler Rose or to Carmike. That is reason enough for me to go watch a movie at Times Squaare. I know I won’t have to put up with alot of loudness or nonsense. Unless the movie itself is bad, I know I will have a good experience every time at Times Square Cinema. Because I’m a grown up.

New Covenant Church

August 31st, 2009

For those who are new to Tyler and are in the process of searching out a new Church that leans toward the charismatic non- denominational side, New Covenant Church of Tyler is an excellent option. Pastor Sam Fisher and his wife Yvette have led the church since its founding nearly ten years ago.

                The church is a Bible based church, which places a strong emphasis on both worship and teaching. Since N.C.C. is a more charismatic church, worship definitely takes center stage. The environment is free and open to individual expressions of praise, but not (as the church’s literature states) fanatical. Each congregant is careful not to distract those around them from their private prayers.

                New Covenant has a very strong missions focus. The congregation is a really strong group of wonderful people who place a premium on both global and community outreach.  N.C.C.’s motto is “preaching the good news of Christ, around the world or across the street,” and this church is doing both. The global side of that creed has taken parishioners to Central America, the Holy Land and Eastern Europe. The church also partners with missions groups like Youth With A Mission by supporting staff members financially, and encouraging church members to attend outreaches and ministry events held by the mission. On the local side, N.C.C. partners with Zoe Prison Ministries, supports KVNE Christian radio and participates in the he annual “Arts With A Mission” camps which take place on campus at the Y.W.A.M. center in Lindale. The church also holds the “Mega Sports Camps” as an outreach to area children.  

                But the church does more than just reach out, it also ministers within. There are Sunday school classes for just about every age ranging from children’s church, to Jr. High and High school students. There is an active youth program consisting of teens and high schoolers, as well as a college and career classes for young adults seeking a place to connect with others at the same stage of life. Lastly there are home groups were families can meet to study the scriptures and share experiences.

                Tyler has just about every conceivable shade and flavor of church, but for those looking for a new one, New Covenant Church has a lot to offer. If you prefer a family oriented church with a lot of activities for the average person, consider this one. With plenty of places to plug in and areas to become involved you’ll never be bored unless you want to be. For those wanting more information N.C.C. has a great website. Just go to www.ncctyler.org or call (903)534-9555.