After much reading, writing and discussion, I finally took my son to Discovery Science Place in Tyler. The stop largely exceeded my expectations. Discovery has a climbing wall, an extensive network of caves, a large ship, which focuses on geography, and numerous science stations, which allow visitors to view rudimentary scientific principles in action. My favorite station allows youngsters to find and excavate dinosaur bones. Another wing of the museum shows young visitors models of local businesses and community institutions. Kids can visit the bank, grocery store doctor’s office or an eatery. They can also learn about the legal system while putting their friends and family members on trial. This summer’s special event is “Predators, the Exhibit.” The traveling exhibit is brought to Tyler thanks to the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It lets visitors get up close and personal with some of our planet’s most adept hunters. Discovery Science Place has also been holding its Camp Discovery program, which as I understand it, is kind of like a science version of Vacation Bible School. The program started back in June and continues until August 11th, so there’s still a little time for those interested to get involved. Discovery Science Place is a really fun new stop for our area. Obviously it has some growing to do yet. I don’t think its ready to be the draw for outsiders that local favs like The Caldwell Zoo, or the Brookshire’s Museum are. But given a little time and development, it could be. It has certainly created a buzz among parents in our town. Lately, seems I’m always being asked “Have you taken him to Discovery Science yet?” Regardless, the kids will love this museum, and they may even learn a little something along the way.
Discovery Science Place in Tyler… Finally
July 24th, 2012Summer Activities in Tyler for 2012
May 30th, 2012
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?
Brookshire’s Fresh, A Skeptic’s Take
April 20th, 2011
It’s Holy Week / Passover again, and again I found myself preparing for an annual Seder meal at my local church, and no I’m not Jewish, neither mainstream nor messianic. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, if that’s who you are… Judaism is a beautiful faith, I just happen to be Catholic).
As part of my responsibilities for the evening, I brought the matzos. Now to say that I “brought” it, is a grossly unemphatic way of describing the end result of a search that actually took me to groceries all over the city. Too wordy? I looked high and low and could find only one place that carried it this year. The Brookshire’s Empire’s version of the Death Star, Fresh!
I guess it’s the natural cynic in me that wanted to dislike the store before even setting foot in the building. It’s just too trendy, just another place for the Tyler’s glitterati to see and be seen even while doing such mundane things as shopping for food for the week. I guess a part of me recoils at the notion of slots for plug in cars and food that’s in some way sanctified given the lack of chemicals to keep the bugs off them.
I don’t resent anyone their food choices I just find it obnoxious that Tylerites are only now deemed progressive and enlightened enough to shop at such a socially conscious store like Fresh! I entered the temple reverently from the side entrance, dipping my finger carefully in the proffered holy water and making the sign of the cross… ok not really. But I did try some of the sample fruit set out for customers, and you know what? I must concede, it was quite good. The store is huge, and I didn’t venture into the deeper inner portion, but contented myself to peruse the food court area.
The store was very busy as it is apparently becoming a popular lunch stop and meeting place for those who work in the area. At the end of the day I was at least partially won over by the new megalith. The food that I sampled was good, the selection was enormous, and the prices, while not exactly cheap, are certainly not outrageous. Visits to the store are more of an event; especially since customers are permitted to purchase and consume wine and beer on location. So why the hesitation? First off the name, “Fresh!” I find it hard to utter the words; “What to go to Fresh?” or how about “I was at Fresh this afternoon…”
The other issue I have is equally subjective. For me it’s kind of a ways out. If I lived closer I would possibly shop there more often but as it is, my visits will probably be limited to once a month or so.
Putting “Fresh” up against Wal-Mart or the other Brookshire’s locations is tough. The selection is really very good. The product is more high end and thus costs a bit more, and the environment is more social. All in all, I must confess, it’s a pretty neat store. But don’t expect me to start recycling or driving a hybrid in order to fit in there!
1800Flowers
February 9th, 2011Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I know that everyone is trying to figure out what to get there loved ones, if they did not forget about the Hallmark holiday. If you want to avoid the crowds picking up a bouquet at Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s grocery stores than you should just order flowers online. 1800flowers is one of the most well-known flower companies across the country. The rose and lily bouquets will surely make your loved one feel so special and loved. The variety of beautiful flowers you are sure to find your Valentine’s favorite flower and their favorite color. They have flowers for every occasion. You can get flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, get-wells, graduations, holidays, and just to say I am thinking of you.
1800flowers has been making people’s day since Jim McCann opened his first flower shop in 1976. Now 1800flowers delivers all across the country to make people smile. The company delivers freshly cut flowers from the best gardens around. All of the bouquets are designed by a team of professional florist artists. Although they are a country wide company, it is important for them to keep customer service personal. The goal of the business is make people’s day by a simple delivery to their door. This is a great company to find the perfect gift to say “I love you”, especially during this romantic time of the year.
Weight Loss In Tyler
December 10th, 2010It is that time of year again, it may be the Thanksgiving turkey or the Christmas ham but weight loss is on most everyone’s mind. Tyler has many great places that help people loss weight and lead a healthier life. Three great ways to loss weight is to first find a support group, eat healthier food, and to exercise.
Tyler has great support groups; one very popular support group is Weight Watchers. At Weight Watchers there are many great people that are in similar situations as you are. People are there to encourage you not only to loose weight, but to live a better life. They have many great books that help you eat the healthiest choice at all different restaurants and at your home. The Weight Watchers’ cook book has many great meal ideas. Some of the restaurants in Tyler, such as Applebee’s, has a Weight Watcher’s approved section on the menu. Weight Watchers has many support meetings to encourage people to continue to eat healthy and to keep loosing weight that meet the goals you set for yourself.
Eating healthy can many times can seem to be the more expensive option. The soon to be health food store in Tyler, Fresh, will be an easy, convenient place o find all your health food needs. Tyler also has many granaries. At the Tyler granaries you can get many different vitamins, health drinks and organic foods. When you are buying organic foods, they may be the healthiest choice but they are the most expensive choice of food. When shopping at Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s grocery stores it is easy to find a large selection of food full of MSG and everything unhealthy. The healthiest way to grocery shop in stores like these is to only shop in the sections around the grocery section. This way you are missing the frozen foods that are loaded with preservatives. You are also missing the sodas and snack foods. When you are shopping for healthier chooses keep in mind that it is much healthier to make things from scratch than to buy something that is pre-cooked, packaged and frozen. This is a cheaper way to shop healthier, but when you shop organic at granaries and soon at Fresh, the results are fast and noticeable.
Finding a gym should not be a hard task if you live in Tyler. There are many different gyms that are at all different locations in Tyler. There is only one YMCA in Tyler but if you have a membership there, you can also use it at the YMCA in Whitehouse. The YMCAs have many different programs that keep you accountable to loosing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. The YMCA also has many classes that make exercising enjoyable. The Zumba classes have become popular and fun. Zumba is a fast pace cardio class that works out all of your muscles. The YMCA in Tyler has a pool and many swim classes for adults and for children, starting at only a few months old. You can also get a trainer at YMCA that will keep you accountable to your workout goals. Another great place to workout for women is Curves. Curves is an all women gym that works out a women’s body to tone and loose weight. The Curves’ equipment is laid out in a circle so that women can use each machine for about a minute and then move to the next machine. If you are a mom, it is important to find a gym that has a place for young children to stay while you work out. The YMCA in Whitehouse has a great place for young children to play. It is out in the open so you are able to check on your kids while taking a break from working out. Premier Fitness also has a great child care on most days, but not Sunday. Premier Fitness has great classes to help you get in shape. One of the most popular classes is the Hip Hop dance class. These classes are a great way to workout through dance. A great way to burn calories is their Cardio kick boxing classes. Premier Fitness has many trainers that are great at pushing you to loose weight and to do the best that you can to meet goals they will help you set.
If your New Year’s resolution is to meet your weight loss goals and to live a healthy lifestyle, than you can find all that you need in Tyler. This year is as good as any to start to work for the body and health that you always wanted.