Book Signing at Scroll Book Store
“Dasi Makes a Difference” is a newly released children’s book written by first time author Elizabeth Earle and first time illustrated. Linda Frazier, both of Tyler. It is an inspiring story of a little lamb that belongs to the inn keeper in Bethlehem.
With the help of Jake the donkey ( whom Mary rode to Bethlehem) Dasi is able to help with a miracle. We are having our first book signing in Tyler at “The Scroll Christian Bookstore.”
2721 East Erwin
Post Office Box 8525
Tyler, Texas 75711
Office: 903-593-5863
Fax: 903-593-2663
Broadcasting on 89.5FM, every day, is KVNE ‘the voice of encouragement’ – a local Christian radio station based in Tyler. It is a non-profit organization and raises money from donations and sponsorship from local businesses rather than airing commercials. The aim of KVNE is to encourage local Christians through music, plus promote Christian events and local ministry initiatives in the area.
KVNE has a great breakfast show, featuring a family friendly couple called Mike and Carrie who keep you smiling with their jokes, phone-ins and topical discussions plus contemporary Christian music. I love ‘What the survey says’ and my kids love to listen to ‘Kid’s karaoke’ on a Thursday when kids phone in and sing their favorite song on air! It’s not as cheesy as it sounds – actually, it’s quite cute. They often have guests on the show and as East Texas has a fair share of Christian musicians – Paul Baloche and Chris Tomlin to name a few – there is quite a local flavor. KVNE is very community focused – they collect backpacks for underprivileged kids in Tyler and valentines for patients in the local hospitals. Better still is their concern with the poor worldwide. Each Christmas they promote Operation Christmas Child – a project to send shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to poor children overseas and they also support Mercy Ships and other mission organizations working in the developing world.
What is not so good about KVNE? In a word, the repetition! The music comes from The Scroll Christian bookstore and in my opinion, they don’t give this radio station nearly enough variety. I guess for The Scroll it’s partly about getting airplay to sell their latest CDs (clever marketing) but we get tired of hearing the same old tunes, occasionally remixed, day after day. I wish KVNE would not limit itself in this way and play music from other places in the world – Hillsongs Australia, Vineyard Canada and some of the excellent contemporary bands coming out of England have so much to offer. Christians are hungry for new Spirit-filled worship songs. Stuff that has been reproduced from the original raw stuff by an American artist seems to lose something. KVNE is not insular in its outlook in general so why should it have such a restrictive playlist?
The very, very worse time of year is Christmas. I know I am not alone in turning off the radio for the entire month of December! The repetition is completely unbearable and even for an evangelical Christian who thinks the world of Christmas, there is only so many times and ways you can listen to a limited repertoire of carols and Christmas songs without feeling sick! Luckily my friends and I discovered Pandora.com in December this year – it saved the day for us!
‘Praise Share’ week (in March) is also to be avoided. During this week – the radio presenters tout for donations and there are some unconvincing and in my opinion, undignified, ploys to increase donations by ringing a bell and saying that a mystery benefactor will double any donations given over the next hour. I feel sure that the people of East Texas value KVNE enough not to have this awful week of fundraising and I wish they would just trust the Lord to provide the finances they need through long-term regular giving.
Enough negative things said. There is a lot of good stuff about KVNE. I do enjoy Mike and Carrie. The news in the morning is a bonus, I like the weather updates and enjoy the Focus on the Family spot. Tune in sometime from Jan – November, you’ll probably like it, and as they tell us in their tag line – it is safe for the whole family to listen to.
Cinderbella's
3400 S Broadway Ave
Tyler Texas 75701
903 266 9162
hours: Mon-Sat 10 am – 5:30
This shop opened last year and is a delight to many a parent who loves to dress their little one in nice cute things but doesn’t always have the funds to buy them new.
This well laid out and spacious shop has an area in the back for good quality, gently used consigned goods and the rest of the store contains new items. Although this consignment store is fairly large already they will be moving into a much large facility close to where Lifeway Christian Bookstore used to be in the same shopping strip. This will give them much more room to offer many more children’s clothes they would like to have available for sale.
Many of the new items are hand made or have motifs which can be made to order. There are bows here too – just in case you are the sort of Mom who likes to have matching accessories for their child.
The thing that struck me immediately as I walked in the door was that this is a boutique for little girls. Sure there are items for boys too but this is the place for very girly girls!
It is a perfect place for grandmothers to buy cutsie outfits for their beloved little ones and a great place to buy that non essential but oh-so-lovely outfit or accessory for a friend who is expecting their first little girl. As I browsed, I could almost hear the exclamations of friends at a baby shower as gifts were unwrapped!
The thing that caught my eye, as a more practical person, was the shoes. Here you can buy new shoes which are excellent quality and really individual. The leather was so soft, I’m sure they would be perfect for little feet. There was a half price sale when I was shopping too so it didn’t seemed too expensive.
In the rear of the store are the consigned goods. These are definitely upscale too.
Cinderbella's Store hours
They are nicely arranged in size and gender so you can look through them without hassle.
The impression I got from this store was attention to detail. Not just in the type of clothes for sale but in the way everything was presented. The lady at the checkout was really helpful and I’m sure she loves what she does, which makes the whole shopping experience at Cinderbella’s a really nice one.
After having been so disappointed by the Tyler Public Library and vowing never to return, I was stuck in a quandry: How do I relive the joy of childhood library visits and impart an enthusiasm for literacy in my own young preschoolers when I dread the thought of returning to the library? (Trumpets blare. The hero has arrived.) Another mom passed on a secret source for hours of golden literary adventures: The Green Acres Baptist Church’s (GABC) library. What? They have a library? I knew about the bowling alley, the Early Education Center, the roller coaster, (What? It doesn’t actually include an amusement park?) but I wouldn’t have thought to look for a library.
This little library is tucked away by door #1 in the Worship Center and includes a nice gift shop. As you walk in, you’ll see on one side, a smaller version of the Scroll Christian bookstore, and on the other, a modest, well-organized library of literary gems, DVDs, and audiobooks/dramas for young and old and in between. You may not find every resource you might need for a research paper, but they pack quite a bit in this small space.
The biggest relief for me as a mother, was that there was nothing I had to steer the kids away from (no Goosebumps, no No David) and very few Disney reworks. Everything we encountered was uplifting and positive if not blatantly Christian. As well as providing hours of quality read-aloud snuggle time, these books were an excellent springboard for discussions on handling difficult situations, our values, theology, Christian character, and all kinds of educational themes.
The staff at the Green Acres Baptist Church Library was always very friendly and helpful. I felt comfortable hanging out to read a few books with my two preschoolers and infant in tow. Because of the small size, I could even look for an inspiring craft book and woman’s devotional for myself just a few rows over while my kids perused their selections at a small table nearby.
If you’ve read my earlier review of the Tyler Public Library, you will undoubtedly figure out that part of what thrills me about this library is that it’s free!!! Whether you live in Tyler TX, or in a different county altogether, you will not have to purchase a rental punch card here. All I had to do to receive a card was fill out a little information paper, and I received three cards, one regular card, and two smaller ones to place on our key rings. How convenient!
Don’t forget there’s a great little bookstore in there too! It’s a convenient place to pick up a gift, or try (in the library) before you buy to find out whether your child will enjoy a video, audio, or book series before you make the investment!
After a year of going to the library almost every week, we had not yet exhausted the GABC Library’s selections, and the kids were still just as excited to head to the Library (snow, sleet, or hail)!
So, if you, like me have been disappointed by the Tyler Public Library, or you just want a more welcoming, less overwhelming space to let your kids’ nurture their love of books and explore positive, fun, life-shaping materials, I recommend that you check out the Green Acres Baptist Church Library.
The Scroll Christian Book Store
January 12th, 2010Of all the bookstores in Tyler, there is one unique example which operates not only as a ministry to individuals in the local community but also to the other ministries in the area. The Scroll Christian Bookstore is now located at 2752 East Fifth in Tyler, and is a non profit Christian Bookstore. Not only is merchandise sold at a discount, but any profits go to Christian organizations like Living Alternatives and KVNE Christian radio.
In terms of inventory the store carries all manner of literature, music and video. They offer both contemporary products as well as old standbys, particularly in respect to literature. Not only will customers find works currently in vogue but the Scroll also carries the classics. The home school and curriculum section is the best in town. Their Tyler Texas staff has extensive experience in education and has an excellent working knowledge of all the products they sell.
The store’s Bible, commentary and theology departments are much broader and more complete than some or the other Christian book stores in town. Even customers of a more traditional orthodox persuasion like Catholics or Episcopalians have a pretty good shot at finding material of interest.
The staff at the Scroll is very friendly and more than willing to help. The store makes for a great afternoon out, so stop by have a free cup of coffee and browse for a while. Odds are you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed. For more information, go to their website at www.thescroll.org
Tags: Bible Commentary, Bookstores, Catholics, Christian Book Store, Christian Book Stores, christian bookstore, Christian Organizations, Christian Radio, Contemporary Products, Cup Of Coffee, Curriculum Section, Living Alternatives, Local Community, Odds, Persuasion, Profits, Scroll Christian Bookstore, Texas Staff, Theology Departments, Tyler Texas, Vogue, Working Knowledge
Posted in Christian | No Comments »