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KVNE for Christmas

December 13th, 2012

kvneI spend a lot of time in my car; at least two hours a day. I try to fill the time by listening to podcasts, audiobooks and occasionally music. I generally see music radio as a dying medium. Only occasionally will I tune in to hear what is essentially someone else’s playlist.

For instance, when my son wants to listen to something and I’m tired of the same old tracks over and over again, I will occasionally turn to KVNE, the local Christian radio station. With the exception of a song that sounds like it could have been sung by the likes of Paula Abdul, circa 1990, I can at least trust the music will not contain anything objectionable.

By the way, I don’t know the name of the aforementioned song, or why it’s such a favorite of the morning crew, but it’s a terrible song! All sarcasm aside though, KVNE has been a staple of the Christian community in Tyler since I was a child. I’ve never been a big listener, not so much because I object to their message or ministry, but mostly because I’ve never been a huge fan of contemporary Christian music.

I do like the fact that the station is involved in a lot of charitable causes in our area. I do have to admit however, that over the last couple of weeks, I have actually enjoyed the station’s Christmas music. Every year over Advent, they play only (or mostly), Christmas music.

I prefer the more traditional songs and carols but I think the station has done a fairly nice job perpetuating the Holiday Spirit. If you’ve not already become tired of seasonal music, or you’re looking for a little Christmas cheer, you might be surprised to find yourself enjoying 89.5.

Goodwill Superstore, A Good Selection

July 30th, 2012

I have, from time to time, shopped at second hand clothing stores, particularly as a young man. On those occasions, I have sometimes been plagued by the absurd notion that I’ll be headed to an important job interview or annual review, only to have someone whisper in my ear that the suit I’m wearing used to belong to the boss. Improbable as that scenario is, the Good Will Superstore on Tyler’s loop 323 has a lot of men’s business clothes.

I have a friend from the corporate world that has several nearly grown sons. Whenever the need arises for formal wear, they check in at the Goodwill Superstore first. Sometimes they find what they want and sometimes they don’t but they swear by the store. I wrote on this location a couple years ago and my experience was sketchy. (To read the original article, click on the following link: http://www.tylertxdirectory.com/27/the-good-will-superstore/ .) The store was particularly disorganized and the merchandise was evidently coming slowly, because the selection was really poor.

My last couple visits have been quite different though. They’ve been well stocked with quality former and semi-formal business wear at a fraction of the cost of a retail store. I came away with several items for which I paid about fifteen dollars. At the average retail store I would have paid around forty-five or fifty dollars. When I was younger I shopped at Goodwill for off beat, slightly out of place garb to express my individuality. Now when I stop in the second hand store, it’s to save a little money on clothes for work.

My mentality has certainly changed; hopefully my taste in clothes has too. For readers who have kids who are good sports, I suggest stopping there prior to searching their regular favs. I realize the idea may be a hard sell, but they may be surprised.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

February 9th, 2011

Cystic Fibrosis FoundationCystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that starts at birth. The child can get it if both parents are carriers of defective CF gene. Mucus builds up in the lungs and organs or a person with Cystic Fibrosis and this causes their organs and lungs to shut down and many people have to get transplants; but even transplants will not heal Cystic Fibrosis because Cystic Fibrosis dwells in the cells. Over 30,000 children and adults in the United States alone has been diagnosed with CF. There is no known cure for Cystic Fibrosis for the time being. There are many diets, therapies, and hospital care that can help with people live with this disease. Many people have passed away very young due to this disease. A young girl who grew up in Tyler just recently passed away after having a lung transplant that her body rejected. She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a toddler, and had to live a large amount of her life in hospitals and clinics. She was only 23 when she passed away. She lived with Cystic Fibrosis and knew the dangers and reality of the disease but she celebrated and made the most of the life that she was given to live.

Cystic Fibrosis is closer than we know. There are many things we can do to help with the research of Cystic Fibrosis. In 1955 The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was founded. At that time children with CF were not expected to live longer than a few years old. The study of this disease has come a long way but they still have not found a cure and many people are passing away due to this disease. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports scientists and doctors that are searching for a cure. They run on support and donations. There have been many different businesses in Tyler that has raised money for this foundation. McAlister’s Deli, Double Dave’s Pizza, and many other places have had events to raise money to support the search of CF. the CF foundation has an annual walk at different locations in East Texas. The next event coming to East Texas is at the new BJ’s restaurant. They are opening their doors to many different invited guests to eat from their special complimentary menu, but ask that everyone that eats there gives a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

These events are a great way to reach out to our community and the many people that are suffering or have lost loved one due to this disease. You can be a part of something great! If you want to know more about the foundation, the disease, or want to know how to donate to the cause you can get more information at www.cff.org.

Foster Adopt Walkathon in Tyler Texas

November 6th, 2010

The Tyler Texas Foster Adopt Walkathon happened today.

There weren’t very many people there at Rose Rudman Park where the walk started.

There were a couple good speeches encouraging those in Tyler to foster and adopt children from the state.

The walk was around 1 1/2 miles and afterwards there was a bouncy house for children and some fruits and drinks for the walkers.

They also had a fund raising raffle where you could win a Wii game console.

Channel 19 was there so even though there was not a lot of people at the walkathon there was still a good get out the word publicity opportunity for fostering and adoption in Tyler Texas.

Salvation Army Thrift Store in Tyler, TX

February 1st, 2010

Salvation Army Thrift Store

633 North Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX
(903) 592-4361

The Salvation Army was started in 1865 as an Evangelical Christian ministry by William and Catherine Booth. It is called an army because of its structure being loosely modeled after military rank and structure. Today it has grown to have locations in one hundred and eighteen countries and operating in one hundred and seventy-five languages. People recognize their red and white logo world wide. The organization is most popularly known for its thrift stores and those sweet smiling people who annoy everyone by fundraising with the loud bell ringing at Christmas time outside of high traffic retail stores.

Salvation Army Thrift Store in Tyler

Salvation Army Thrift Store

But these stores are only a fundraiser like the bell ringing. The stores help to pay for their main Christian ministry of free drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation centers and temporary homeless shelters. They are also able to offer temporary and longer term jobs to people in need of work.

The Salvation Army thrift store in Tyler, TX is located on North Broadway pretty close to the center of downtown Tyler. The store shares a parking lot with their rehabilitation ministry center and is very easy to notice. I must say that this is not my favorite thrift store in Tyler, but I still frequently visit it. It has a few features that make me a permanent shopper.

I’ll start with the good things about this store. This Salvation Army thrift store has the nicest and cheapest furniture out of the thrift stores in Tyler. Aside from buying new or from yard sales, your best bet for cheap furniture shopping in Tyler would be this Salvation Army. My wife was particularly pleased with the amount of really nice wooden coffee and end tables. There are also usually a few couches and stuffed chairs in really nice shape.

Right as you enter the store to the left between the door and the cash register, there is a nice little shelf of CDs, DVDs, and computer software. I was more than impressed when I began to look through this section. I was able to find a few useful computer games and a music CD that was brand new in the wrapper. All were only a dollar a piece. This does require some time to sift through the more noticeable collection of useless CDs and software.

In the back right of the store they have a pretty nice book section. This collection of books surprises me every time. It seems that they have most of the John Grisham books, which I am often in search of.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army

They also have a surprisingly large selection of fantasy and sci-fi novels, which can be hard to find in used book stores. I must let you know, though, that just like the CDs the books are in no particular order. It requires patience and practice at skimming through titles to find the gems.

One last cool little section is in the center section of the back wall. They have tons of bolts of fabric, and it’s decently priced. I am never looking for cloth for sewing projects, so I can’t vouch for the usefulness of it in that sense. I use it for when I am putting together a costume and just need to be able to drape large sections of cheap fabric.
As for the negative things, there aren’t many. Thrift stores are thrift stores, so you can’t expect too much out of them, but one problem with this store is the men’s clothing section is pretty drab and scarce. I am usually in search of t-shirts, but their selection is not great. I have however been able to find a tie or two in good shape.

The last thing is an isolated negative experience I had in the store on my last visit. I was shopping through the CDs in the front and noticed one of the cashiers staring at me suspiciously. Being a self-appraised above average good citizen and licensed preacher, I shrugged it off and continued on my shopping. I was able to forget about the slight awkwardness and made it to the check out. When I got to the register the lady some how informed me that she was in charge. I’m not sure if she was a supervisor or the owner. Anyway, she looked at me like only a mother can in the eyes and asked, “Where are the other CDs you had?” Shocked by the sudden accusation of theft, I paused. Then I told her truthfully that I had placed the ones I didn’t want back on the shelf. She gave me a weird grin and said something like a tsk tsk. All in all, it was awkward and almost offensive, but I still think the store is great. I just think that they are very used to working with drug addicts and delinquent teens.

Give this store a shot. You will most likely be pleased enough to return to shop in the future.

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