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Green Acres Bowl in Tyler… Again!

May 10th, 2011

I went for my once a year bowling trip this past weekend, at Green Acres Bowl, and no it has nothing to do with Tyler’s mega church of the same name. (Does that sound like a slight; because it wasn’t intended to as one. It’s just that the church is huge, and it’s easy to assume that any business with “Green Acres” in the name is somehow connected to it. For some reason however, drawing attention to a churches size, large or small, can be a touchy prospect. Too large and people think you’re a social club, too small and you’re a cult). Sorry, again I digress. While reading on the bowling alley I discovered there are about as many opinions on it, as there are of its Baptist namesake.

First off let me say that the staff was really helpful, a bit overly protective I guess, but really very nice, and they generally took care of all our needs. Now I’m not a good bowler… at all. But I had good time nonetheless. My son was back and forth dropping his ball and retrieving another almost before the first one reached the pins. And it was like that all morning. Suffice it to say, he had a terrific time. The business has changed an awful lot over the years. I read some reviews that must have been written about the time former Vice President Gore was first establishing the internet, because the Green Acres bowling alley hasn’t looked like they described it in over twenty years!

On the plus side, the establishment is neat and clean and relatively inexpensive. It’s also a great place to take the fam, particularly when the weathers bad. If there’s a down side, it’s that there’s no bar or place to purchase food or drinks. But the facility’s not equipped for those added services, and I realize that’s exactly what many Tylerites like most about the place anyway. Our city has a strangely paradoxical and frankly, inconsistent view on the use of adult beverages, even if that use is moderate. Instead, maybe pull into Braum’s, for Ice cream and a cherry lime-aid prior to heading over to bowl a few frames. At any rate, if you’ve not been to Green Acres Bowl in a while, I recommend checking it out, particularly as summer starts to heats up. It’s cheap fun in a cool, family friendly, environment.

Integrity In A Dirty Business

January 8th, 2010

Tyler Septic Installer Coupon

Septic is an odd topic to blog about, but no one is happy with an inoperable septic system. Watson dirt works has been in the septic system and excavation, and house pad business for going on twenty years. Owner Evan Watson has a thorough knowledge of all areas of the septic and sewage business, as well as earth moving and landscaping. More importantly Mr. Watson does the job correctly the first time. Lastly he’s an honest broker who’ll give you a strait forward assessment of your system. For a consultation call (903) 360- 2513 and tell him you read about him here on Tyler Texas Directory. Evan can install both conventional septic systems as well as aerobic septic installations.

What I did last summer

November 9th, 2009

As a teacher at a Tyler area private school, I have often found it necessary to do work on the side, (which is why I write for tylertxdirectory.com). This is especially true during the summer, when school is out and my pay is less regular. One of the jobs I’ve had is working with Watson Dirt Works. As an educator, much of my career has been spent indoors pouring over textbooks and grading papers. So when summer rolls around again I almost look forward to the outdoor manual labor. I have found myself twenty feet below ground laying sewer pipe, shoveling septic mud in the rain, digging trenches in the July heat, and even on occasion, compacting earth in the cold of December. And you know what? I’ve loved nearly every minute of it. My grandfather believed that hard physical work is good for the soul. He was right. Over the last few years, Evan Watson and I have traveled all over East Texas. Installing septic systems, field lines, and doing all manner of landscaping. But when summer winds down and the days get shorter I have the luxury of returning to teaching. Evan, however just keeps plugging along as he has for over twenty years.

There are a lot of guys in the sewer and septic game in Tyler. And when a system fails or the job is too dirty or difficult, they all recommend Evan Watson. Evan has a reputation for doing things right the first time without cutting corners or looking for an easy way out. He’s an honest broker who won’t over or under sell a product. Evan will give you an honest assessment of your system’s issues and the solutions. He knows the codes and has the skills to solve a wide range of problems involving septic and drainage. To top it all off, he has contacts and connections all over East Texas.

Let’s face it, good and bad economies come and go, but toilets are forever. There’s nothing worse than not being able flush or shower, so if your system needs an overhaul don’t wait and pray it fixes itself. It won’t. Call the guy with twenty plus years experience. For a consultation call (903) 360- 2513 and tell him you read about him at tylertxdirectory.com. For more on Watson Dirt Works, visit the Tyler Blog Section of this site and look for the title “Integrity in a dirty business.”

The Vineyard Church of Tyler

October 14th, 2009

The choice of what church to attend, and which is right for one’s family, is a very personal one. These days, folks in Tyler Texas who are unable to find a church with which they can agree on absolutely everything, often opt to start their own churches. They open in store fronts, movie theaters, and the homes of parishioners, in the temporary absence or a building or property. Generally I encourage this type of religious and community participation. But in a town of nearly a thousand places to worship, our city does not need additional “start up” churches. Everyone should be able to find an existing church in Tyler where they can practice their faith in a community of relatively likeminded people. This is why I’ve started to write about area Churches, in the hopes that perhaps someone who’s looking around will stumble onto this site and find some useful information.

Having already written on my own church, it is difficult to write on a church with which I have little connection. I can speak to churches attended by my friends and family however. One such church is the Vineyard Church of Tyler. While located in Times Square shopping center, the Vineyard is no start up church, having been around for nearly twenty years now. The Tyler Vineyard is a part of the Vineyard USA Community of Churches, in effect a denomination all its own. The church holds to the standard points of doctrine of the modern Evangelical Church, particularly when it comes to the supremacy of scripture.

The Vineyard places a heavy emphasis on the importance of worship in the liturgy. The music is contemporary and central to the Vineyard experience. The church strives to be both culturally relevant and approachable to the Tyler area young people. The atmosphere is casual and informal. Gourmet coffee is served in the foyer prior to the service and during the peace, (or the greeting). The pastor’s homilies are brief but applicable to the congregant’s experience (again we see the emphasis on cultural relevance). The VCT is also involved in numerous community outreaches and local charities.  They also support members of area missions organizations, who export the gospel around the world.

For those looking for a relaxed, low pressure, community involved, evangelical church The Vineyard Church of Tyler is a good option to consider. For more information see the churches website at www.tylervineyard.com, or call their office at (903) 534-8803.

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport

September 25th, 2009

Growing up next to Tyler’s Pounds Field airport, I used to walk half a mile into the terminal because the restaurant served good hamburgers. The old terminal was always quiet and run down, with a small smattering of tired travelers stretched out on the worn seats, waiting for one of the four or so flights out to DFW that day. It was a small town airport, and it knew it.

Today, almost twenty years later, the restaurant is gone, the name has changed, the terminal has moved a new and beautiful facility, but the airport is just as quiet as it was before. It is still a small town airport, but it doesn’t know it anymore.


Tyler Pounds Regional Airport flies to 2 locations: Dallas and Houston. American Eagle (part of American Airlines) carries passengers in and out of Dalls Fort Worth International Airport just 4 times every day, and Colgan Air (A Subsidiary of Continental Airlines) makes 6 trips to Houston’s George Bush International Airport on weekdays, plus 3 trips on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. That’s a maximum of just 10 flights in and 10 flights out every day.

Last year, Tyler Pounds Regional serviced 139,000 travelers. That’s an average of just 380 customers flying in and out every day. When you consider the size and quality of the terminal, you wonder why the numbers are so low. Certainly, it has the potential to handle at least three times that much business.

As embarrassing as it might be for Tyler’s city managers, the airport still has its merits. The terminal houses 3 rental care companies under its roof (Avis, Hertz, and National Care Rental), and offers very attractive prices for its flights.

For example, I just ran an Orbitz search for a round-trip flight from Tyler Texas to San Francisco (via DFW). The cost around $324. If you eliminate the Tyler flight and go straight out of Dallas, the costs drops to $260. Similarly, you’ll pay $363 round-trip from Tyler to Chicago, and just $299 from DFW to Chicago.

In both cases, the Tyler flight is around $65 more. But that would mean you’re driving to Dallas instead. DFW is a 2 hour drive each way. You will have to go through long lines at DFW. You’ll be buying gas for 240 miles of total driving, plus paying for long-term parking. For a 5 day trip, you would be paying at least $85, which is $20 more than flying out of Tyler, in addition to dealing with ten times the hassle.

In my experience, this is a common phenomenon. If you schedule your flights directly out of Tyler to your final destination (in other words, do it as one itinerary without entering DFW at all), you will generally find the Tyler airport to be a good option. Even if it does cost more, the sheer convenience of having someone drop you off right in Tyler and avoiding big city driving is well worth the extra cash. Houston trips will usually reflect this even more, since the drive to Houston is so much longer, and the airport so much more inconvenient.

Yes, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport probably is too big for itself, and it may be a little embarrassed because of it. But it is, nevertheless, a nice outfit. It is spacious and relaxing, the lines are non-existent, and the lobby is right at the gate, so you can spend those last precious minutes with loved ones before you have to say goodbye. All in all, Tyler Pounds is an excellent option for travelers looking to save time, money, and headaches.