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Cross Systems a Home Theater System Company

October 3rd, 2011

Digital multimedia and control systems are swiftly becoming staples of the modern home. From complete home theater systems to home automation systems, we all enjoy the ease and comfort of a ‘smart’ home and the sharp, crisp sensations of high-definition digital audio and sound. Fortunately for we Tylerites and East Texas folks, there’s one top-notch industry expert right in our back yard: Cross Systems of East Texas.

Located in Whitehouse, TX, Cross Systems ambitiously upholds its vision of “providing exceptional technology and performance to the deserving customers in the East Texas Region” by working one-on-one with its local patrons an a level of exceptional depth and cooperation. Probably one of the best things about having people around like the guys at Cross Systems is that they see the job through all stages. No matter what the project is, they start with careful planning of the entire project, and they’re with you even well after it’s done to offer support.

East Texas isn’t exactly a metropolis. Many of our residents, and even our churches and businesses are spread out in rural areas, but they all still want the latest, coolest tech just like everyone in the larger cities. which brings to the forefront one of the best things about Cross Systems. They can bring the best high-tech digital experiences to rural venues, and they’re local so you get to meet the people doing the work in person, talk to them face to face and avoid the hassle and high prices of the bigger companies. Plus, if you ever need help or support, you won’t get lost in a maze of customer service departments and corporate offices strewn across the country. But Cross Systems isn’t limited just to the East Texas area. They’ll also reach all the way out to Dallas – Fort Worth and into Louisiana.

Cross Systems seems like just a perfect place to start shopping for Texans who have never shopped for things like home theater systems and home automation equipment. Sure, it’s great to have awesome an awesome entertainment setup in the den, but the task of getting one can be daunting. The guys at Cross Systems are able to take a lot of the apprehension and confusion out of the process. That’s also a plus for businesses looking for that turnkey solution at the right price. Go check out their website at crosssystems.net, meet the crew, and see all the cool stuff they have – right in our own back yard!

Elite Bike Shop

March 5th, 2011

Elite Bicycles
Elite Bicycles is Tyler’s premier bike shop. This shop is no second string outfit, they are equipped as any adequate bike shop should be. Elite is undaunted by providing you with the tools and even valuable first hand instruction of the repair or procedure you might be considering for your bike.

When a bike shop puts the equal exchange of knowledge and equipment ahead of making money from the unprepared it shows an important ethical quality, the type of which should be expected from all businesses.

The name Elite Bicycles has a certain air of superiority that could easily be criticized if the business was, in reality,  anything but elite. Well I am here to assure you that the name Elite is accurate in it’s description of Tyler’s local bike shop.

A strong cycling foundation is set for Tyler in Elite Bicycles, behind the store a qualified and dedicated staff deliver a top notch supply of bikes to the Tyler public. There is a bike for everyone from bmx riders and the Sunday afternoon cruisers all the way to the serious long distance cyclist looking to get their hands on the newest Felt road bike.

I believe I even spotted a few fixed gears hanging around the show room for the so inclined. Elite typically has a unique stock of high quality and even vintage products that alone makes for a worth while inquiry every now and then; products  such as the new-old stock Campingolo Pista crankset which is currently available for any cyclist with an above average taste in bike components.
Elite Bicycles in Tyler TX
Elite is certainly not the most inexpensive cycling store out there, they will occasionally price a pump a little too high, but this is the way of most upper class businesses, bringing you high quality but at a corresponding price bracket.

Tyler keeps Elite Bikes quite busy being it’s really the only close by place to get bike repair, so experience is well on the side of the staff. Elite demonstrates it’s knowledge and ability through it’s capable staff of passionate cyclists as well as through the thoughtful supply of biking equipment and high quality velocipedes.

No Tyler resident should have to travel far to meet their cycling needs with Elite Bicycles so close and so capable. This is not to say that finding that elusive or expensive bike part is beyond searching online, but it’s always a good idea to check at Elite first both to support local independent business growth and also for the great service and effort they show in consumer interaction.

Elite is an incredible resource for all bike owners in Tyler and a likely beginning for many emerging cyclists.

Alzheimer’s Care in Tyler, Texas

November 13th, 2010

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Tyler TX Memory Care

Dementia Memory Care

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease strikes dread in the hearts of everyone affected by it. Not only is the victim’s life forever changed, but the lives of the victim’s family is also significantly altered. There are decisions that need to be made before the last stages set in and the elderly relative with Alzheimer’s is no longer able to think for him or herself. While the affected senior citizen can still rationalize and make some of their own decisions, now is the time to start making long-term plans for their care when the family can no longer provide everything they need.

If you live in Tyler, Texas, this you have options. Tyler has many excellent assisted living programs and facilities that are designed to cater specifically to the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. In addition, the staff is trained to help the families of these patients adjust and learn how to cope during the difficult days ahead.

Many families want to be able to keep their elderly relative suffering from Alzheimer’s at home as long as possible. However, it may not be feasible to do this in the latter stages of the disease. There are many things the Alzheimer’s patient needs during that time and it is painful for the family members to watch this deterioration first hand.

Tyler, Texas offers services that are top notch and will help your loved ones through this very stressful time. Your senior’s doctor can offer suggestions as to where you can find the information for long-term care that will eventually be needed.

Private Schools in Tyler Texas

August 4th, 2010

The Brook Hill School Bullard TX

All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler

Grace Community High School
It’s really hard to believe, but summer is nearly over already and honestly, it’s past time to start thinking about where the kids are going to attend school this fall. While I recognize there are a few solid government schools, I hate to see Tylerites settle for an insufficient public education when there are so many excellent private options that will better educate and prepare their children for college and life beyond. Now I spent the better part of last summer writing about the area schools and various educational opportunities and I have no intention of rewriting those articles. Instead I thought I would briefly recap the list of private schools that call Tyler home. I should say that my list may not be exhaustive. I have included only (what I consider) the better institutions. These are in no particular order other than alphabetical.

All Saints

All Saints (AS) is a Tyler Texas institution. It’s been serving the community in an ever expanding way since the sixties. AS has an excellent academic record, with most all of its graduates going on to college. The school has a beautiful campus and a complete sports program that includes a full eleven man football team. As the name implies, All Saints is an Episcopal School, with a theology, chapel class and a chaplain consistent with that denomination. The staff and student body however, are made up of a number of denominations. Tuition can be high, but there are programs available to help prospective students with the desire to attend, but who lack the financial means. For more on All Saints see my original article entitled Traditional Education for the College Bound.

Brook Hill

Founded in 1997 Brook Hill (BH) is one of the newer schools on the list. It is a preparatory school that provides its students with a top notch education on a beautiful campus in Bullard Texas. The school offers a full list of athletic and extra-curricular opportunities (including a full football squad). While BH is a non-denominational Christian School, it leans toward a more orthodox tradition. By all accounts, this is a great school, but it does tend to be pricey. I recommend looking into the scholarships and grants available. For more on this school, look for my piece entitled Classical Education and Christian Character, located elsewhere on this site.

Christian Heritage

In the interest of full disclosure, this is one of the area schools with which I have a personal history, and it is thus one of my favorite area schools. Christian Heritage School (CHS) was founded over thirty years ago. It is a Principle Approach school and offers students an education which emphasizes History, Literature, English, Logic and Latin. While these subjects are central, the school of course offers a solid math and science curriculum as well. CHS is a nondenominational school with connections to Youth With A Mission, the international missions organization. The staff and student body is made up of many different area churches. The school’s athletic opportunities are a bit thin. CHS offers basketball, soccer, track, volleyball and a couple other more minor sports. The campus is located on Dixie drive just off 64, west not far from Tyler Pounds Field. In terms of tuition CHS is one of the lower schools in Tyler, generally a great deal considering the education the school provides. To read more about CHS, look for my original article entitled An Institution in East Texas Education.

East Texas Christian Academy

East Texas Christian Academy (ETCA) has also been in Tyler for about thirty years. The School was designed to offer a solid academic slate of classes in a safe Christian environment. The current campus is located on Shiloh Road and they are in the process of building an entirely new one just across the street. The school is denominationally affiliated with the Church of Christ. Staff and teachers are all members of that church, but the student body includes other denominations as well. The sports program is good but not huge, roughly comparable to that of CHS. I was unable to find a clear dollar figure, but based on the people I’ve spoken with, tuition seems moderate, somewhere between Christian Heritage and Brook Hill. (I realize there’s a lot of room there). For more information on ETCA readers can look for my original article Challenging Academics in a Christian Environment.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd has been educating the Tyler area for a long time. It is a Classical school with a curriculum that is heavy on teaching Philosophy, Theology, Latin and Logic. In terms of denomination, Good Shepherd is a Reformed Episcopal school, (a spin- off of the Anglican or Episcopal Church) which means they emphasize an orthodox expression of the faith mixed with an element of reformed doctrine. The sports program is small and somewhat year to year, meaning that it’s dependent on the school’s enrollment and demand for athletics from one year to the next. In terms of its academics Good Shepherd is an excellent school, but extracurricular opportunities are somewhat limited by its size. Tuition is on the higher end of moderate. It’s not the most expensive school in town, but there are surely more cost effective options. That being said, for those concerned almost exclusively with academic achievement Good Shepherd is a solid option. To read more of my thoughts on this school, look for the title Good Shepherd Offers a Great Education.

Grace Community School

As I read through the list of Tyler’s schools, I’m amazed at how many of them have been around for as long as they have. Grace Community School (GCS) is another school who’s history in Tyler exceeds thirty years. They offer a solid academic foundation, and a truly, non-denominational Christian formation. The school is obviously associated with the church of the same name, but its staff and students are composed of Christians from across spectrum of denominations. Grace is a solid school and a Tyler institution. I find that teaching in this town is a lot like waiting tables here. Once you’ve worked a couple of schools you find you’re acquainted with other teachers from all the other area schools. While I’ve never taught at Grace I’ve worked with other teachers who’ve taught there, and I can attest to the fact that they have a great staff.  GCS has a full athletic program which includes an eleven man football team. Tuition here is also on the higher end of moderate, but they do offer a variety of financial Oid programs to make the school affordable. To read more, look for the title Opportunity Values and Academics, located elsewhere on this site.

King’s Academy Christian School

Easily the youngest school on the list at six years old, King’s Academy Christian School (KACS) is also the most unique. I should also say that King’s is another school with whom I have a connection. King’s is a University Model School, meaning students attend class three days a week and study at home with a parent or tutor the other two. But unusual schedule aside, the school offers challenging academics, and a rich student life. KACS also has a good slate of Athletic opportunities, including six- man football. King’s is also a non-denominational school. Both its teachers and students are made up of a variety of churches. Tuition to King’s Academy is about the lowest in the Tyler area. But for all the school has to offer, this is tremendous value. To read more about KACS, there are several articles to look for on this site; Something Different in Education, Something Different at King’s Academy, Six- Man Football Returns to Tyler and King’s Academy Christian School in Tyler TX.

Well there’s my short list Tyler’s better schools; (at least in my opinion). Remember, the summer’s wrapping up and it’s never too early to begin considering our children’s enrollment.

Currents French Cuisine Restaurant Tyler Texas

January 10th, 2010

Currents is a French and American Cuisine in Tyler Texas. It serves some of the finest entrees in Tyler Texas. If you enjoy French food then you will love Currents. The food was delicious. The presentation and atmosphere was excellent. The restaurant has unusual French antique furniture and overlooks a peaceful valley and woods.

The music was romantic and relaxing. The service was definitely top notch. The waiter escorted us to our table, pulled out chairs for all the ladies in the group, made sure our drinks never emptied, gave us great recommendations on food and wine, and didn’t get a thing wrong on the orders.

The price is a little on the high side (about $20 per meal) but is definitely worth it. I think that Currents is a great place for a date or other special event. Currents restaurant offers wine tasting and has a menu of some of the best tasting food in Texas. In fact they were in the Texas Monthly magazine. Currents restaurant is off of Fleishel near Front Street. For directions and more information, check out their website currentstyler.com.