EGuide Magazine February 2015 edition

March 1, 2015 • Issue 3, Volume 3

Lola’s Handcrafted Sandwiches: Tyler’s Spring Azalea Trails: Homage to An Old Favorite & A New Shop

From Historic to The New

Ramoth Gilead:

Positive, Distinctive, and Soulful Music

Walk, Run, Bike and Crawl: 16 Races and Fun Runs this Spring

2 • EGuideMagazine.com

A Bohemian Upcycle Boutique in Ben Wheeler

Heart of a Gypsy, Soul of a Hippie, Spirit of a Fairy Downtown Ben Wheeler at 1560 FM 279 1 (817)721-7778 • www.frillypepper.com Open Wednesday 11-3, Thursday-Saturday 10-7, Sunday 11-3

FIRE

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Open Weekends February thorough November

EGuideMagazine.com • 3

The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas

Family owned and operated for over 15 years.

March 1, 2015 • Issue 3, Volume 3

Contents

Come in and enjoy our distinctive Italian cuisine with many dishes to choose from.

Whether you are in the mood for chicken, veal, seafood, or our home made lasagna you can experience the most delicious Italian food.

Plus enjoy some fine wine from our great selection.

5-6 Dining

Located at 3320 Troup Highway, Tyler, Texas 903-533-1000

» “Lola’s Handcrafted Sandwiches: Homage to an Old Favorite” by Barbara King » “Smallcakes, A Cupcakery: Maybe a Cupcake Will Help?”

by Barbara King » Food News & Events

7 Movies: by Dustin Chase, Film Critic

» Reviews for “The Last Five Years” and “McFarland USA”

8-15 Music

» “Ramoth Gilead: Positive, Distinctive, and Soulful Music” by Noel Weems » “The London Souls: New York’s Best Kept Secret Comes to Tyler” by Kimber Fountain » “Support Your Local Music Scene: My Top 10 Favorite Bands” by John Baggett » The Complete Music Gig Guide for Live Music

Azalea & Spring Flower Events & Fun Map 16-17 Things to Do

» “Children’s Park of Tyler: An Expansion Is Underway” by Lynn Dark » “Celebrate National Quilting Days at the Tyler Quilt Show” by Gini Rainey » Events and Things to Do Around Tyler

18-19 Art

Hours of Operation Monday – Closed ◊ Tuesday – Thursday 11am till 10pm Friday – Saturday 11am till 11pm ◊ Sunday 11am till 10pm

» “Inside the Artist’s Studio: Why I am an Artist, A Personal Thank You: This is for the Malamute” by Derrick White » “Spring Arts Events in East Texas” by Cassie Bartley » TMA Opens Lid On Hartley’s “Tin Toys & Raw Realities” on Exhibition March 1st-June 28th » Exhibits, Events and Galleries around Tyler

20 Theatre

» The Complete Theatre Production Guide

20 Fitness

» Walk, Run, Bike and Crawl: 16 Races and Fun Runs this Spring Throughout East Texas

22 Family

» “D-Bat Tyler: Pitching, Hitting, Fielding, and Catching, Oh My!” by Kelly Griffith-Fields » Science Saturdays will continue at Discovery Science Place plus Summer Camps and Tyler Library Events

23 Books

Staff Publisher

Tena Jerger

Sales Manager Louie Jerger Copy Editors

Kimber Fountain, Gini Rainey Editorial

John Baggett, Cassie Bartley, Dustin Chase, Lynn Dark, Kelly Griffith-Fields, Kimber Fountain, Barbara King, Gini Rainey, Noel Weems, Derrick White

» “A Potpourri of Reads This Month” by Gini Rainey

“EGuide Magazine” is an event-driven entertainment magazine focusing on ‘things to do’ in East Texas. We are published once a month. We are distributed free in our unique stands at over 360 locations in Tyler, Whitehouse, Bullard, Flint, Gresham, Edom, Ben Wheeler, Lindale, Jacksonville and Rusk.

We will list at no charge most events open to the public. All necessary information should be included such as date, time, ticket cost, description of event, phone number for the public, website address, photos - the more the better. Submit your event at EGuideMagazine.com.

PO Box 130133 Tyler, TX 75713 (903)630-3030 EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

Distribution

Mandy Allen, Michael Gonzalez, Louie Jerger, Barbara King

Deadlines

The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas EGuideMagazine.com

Attn: Writers

On Stands Deadline April 1st.................................... March 20th May 1st........................................April 20th We are currently looking for freelance writers.

June 1st......................................... May 20th If you have a love for writing, send samples to: July 1st..........................................June 20th August 1st..................................... July 20th Eagerness trumps experience every time. Therefore, experience September 1st......................... August 20th is not necessarily needed. If you want to gain experience and get samples for your portfolio, e-mail us.

October 1st.......................September 20th

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4 • EGuideMagazine.com

Dining

Homage to An Old Favorite Written and Photographed by Barbara King Britain’s 4th Earl of Sandwich may take credit for inventing the sandwich, but Lola’s takes the sandwich to a whole other level. Ask the pop/son partnership of Chris and Andrew Czop what makes their take on the sandwich special, and they will eagerly explain that it’s the freshness, and the care they take in each creation with all the fixings.

“Everything we do is made from scratch,” explains dad, Chris, “from the bread to the chips, salad dressings, soups, and even desserts.” The organic produce they use comes from the Red Moon Farm in Van and as well as other area growers.

What about the namesake “Lola” seen caricatured throughout the store? “We liked the throwback sounding name from the 40’s or 50’s,” explained Czop, “and we also wanted a feminine sounding name to pay homage to the ladies.”

Chris changed careers, after working in the hearing aid business for over 30 years, to pursue his love of good, quality food. His son Andrew said, “Dad was always experimenting with new foods and it was kind of a given that we would be trying something new every night.”

Opened in late November, the Czops are pleased to be part of the ever-growing foodie destination in the Flint/Gresham area, landing in the Gresham Village shopping center. The shop itself seats 40 inside, but plans include increased seating in the outdoor area in the warmer weather, a once a month RSVP special dinner menu, and a jam night for local musicians.

But back to the reason for being – the sandwich. Take your pick from some well knowns like the Reuben (hand crafted roast beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and homemade Russian dressing), BLT, grilled cheese or Chicken Parm. Lola’s pays tribute to some famous destinations like the N. O. Po’ Boy (shredded house roast beef, root beer glazed ham, Créole mustard, cabbage and dill pickles), the Chicago Beef (house roast beef, Italian au jus, green peppers, and giardiniera), and the Cuban (slow roasted pork, root beer glazed ham, with Swiss cheese).

Soups, salads and incredible sides are on the menu, including lemon dill potato salad and Mediterranean orzo (orzo pasta, sun dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, toasted pine nuts). Featured soups are French onion and tomato basil, and salad lovers can enjoy a chopped salad (iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onions, house made bacon, homemade Maytag bleu cheese dressing and candied pecans) or a Greek dill salad (romaine hearts, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fresh dill, Kalamata olives, feta cheese and homemade vinaigrette). You better save some room for the one of a kind homemade potato chips, or even better, the kicked up potato chips that are made with balsamic reduction, bleu cheese crumbles and green onions.

Of course. there has to be sandwiches for the youngsters on the menu: ham and cheese, grilled cheese or pb&j with chips and a drink.

Success for the Czops means “good food, and being able to invest in our passion and the community,” says Chris. “It takes a lot of hard work, but working together on our dream has been a great adventure.”

Mother/daughter duo Terri and Hannah Rowden dropped in on their first visit and both ordered the T.A.B.C. (roasted turkey, avocado, Nueskes bacon, Tillamook cheddar, heirloom tomatoes, red onion and chipotle mayo). Both were amazed at the portions, and Hannah said, “the bread was incredibly fresh and so were all the ingredients.”

Bring your appetite and support a local father and son team who brings you the ultimate in sandwiches by visiting Lola’s Handcrafted Sandwiches in Gresham.

Additionally, Lola’s can handle catering for larger groups, and you can also BYOB and relax and enjoy your sandwich.

Lola’s Handcrafted Sandwiches is located at 16700 FM 2493 in the Gresham Village Shopping Center. For more info call (903)707-2432.

They are open Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11-5pm.

Find them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/lolastyler.

To feature your restaurant in EGuide Magazine, send us a note at....

EGuideMagazine.com

Smallcakes, A Cupcakery:

weddings, baby showers or any other special occasion.

Smallcakes can even create minicakes, and offers a specialty corporate loyalty proWritten and Photographed by Barbara King gram for sales reps who place larger orders.

Do not let the name fool you, these cupcakes are large, moist, Place an order and get a and absolutely delicious. You will be mesmerized by the selection and Smallcakes rewards card, and mouth -watering presentation of these delectable treats at the recently after 12 purchases, receive opened Smallcakes franchise in Tyler. a free cupcake. Also, on Becki and John Reiss are the cheerful and very busy owners of the your cell phone you can text Tyler Smallcakes store, just one of 95 cupcakeries across the United “smallcakes” to 51660 for a States. Since opening the store in January, located in the Shops at Old coupon code for “purchase Bullard (beside Sonoma Grill), Becki says they have “been so busy that one cake and get one for free we now have two head bakers and two assistant bakers.” The couple, (one time use only).” who relocated from Corpus Christi, have family in the area and extenBecki says that the busisive experience in the bakery industry. “We’ve been traveling back and ness is growing by word of forth for over ten years,” said Becki, “and we saw a great opportunity to mouth and folks are coming work for ourselves in Tyler.” from Jacksonville, Longview, The store itself resembles a sweet cupcake treat, with the color Whitehouse, and all over scheme reminiscent of pink frosting. There is inside seating if you care Tyler. “We took samples all to relax and enjoy your cake, and maybe compliment it with a soft over the city before we had drink, coffee, or hot chocolate. our grand opening, so people It may take some time and contemplation to choose between the could taste our product and signature flavors that include Pink Vanilla, Choco-holic, Cookies & become familiar with what Cream, Red Velvet (like grandma used to make), Hot Fudge Sundae, we offer. We are in a great Chocolate Cream, Pink Chocolate, Vanilla-n-Chocolate, and Lemon location with good visibilDrop. Add 175 other rotating flavors to that mix, plus gluten free ity and have lots of families options too, and your taste buds will be reeling. The icings are speccome in for an after school tacular, butter crème concoctions, rich and decadent. They also offer treat. We have even had perdifferent daily specials, including cakes with names like Brownie Bling, sonal trainers come in for Marble Cheesecake, and Tiramisu. cupcake rewards for their “We don’t compare ourselves to any other bakery in town,” clients.” explains Becki. “We have one product, and we focus on quality and Did you know (courtesy freshness and great recipes.” Smallcakes has been featured on the Food of Smallcakes) that 13% of Network show, Cupcake Wars, and it is also listed as one of the “Top couples planning weddings 10 Cupcake Places to Try” in the country. are choosing cupcakes over conventional wedding cakes? Cupcakes The cupcakes are made fresh every day, and you will not find any have been around for over 200 years and were aptly named because day old cakes here. Local non-profits are the recipients of any unsold their ingredients were measured in cups. The largest cupcake ever cupcakes, as the store gives back to the community by donating them made weighed one ton and was covered in 600 pounds of frosting. to Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army. The store also recently Lauren Arrington from Jacksonville said, “I was driving by and donated over 250 samples to the Salvation Army for their chili bowl wanted to see what they had.” After a few minutes of oohing and aahevent. ing over the incredible display of cupcake options, she commented that Tara Snyder was dropping by to check out the goodies on a rec“it’s almost impossible to choose, they all look heavenly!” ommendation from her sister. “I live three blocks away, and now that As the website proclaims, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can it’s here, it may be my go-to treat place.” Snyder was impressed by the buy a cupcake, and that’s kind of the same thing.”

Order ahead or drop by 5875 Old Bullard Road, Tyler, visit them gluten-free choices and left with a box of cakes, saying, “I almost don’t want to share.” on Facebook for specials at facebook.com/smallcakestyler, online at www.smallcakestyler.com, or call (903)561-8988 for birthday or decYou can call ahead and order, or walk in and pick up a cupcake orating reservations. Open 10am-8pm Monday –Thursday, 10amfor $3.50 each. Smallcakes offers birthday parties on-site (reserved 9:30pm Friday-Saturday, and Sunday 12-5pm. in advance) with cupcake decorating, as well as specialty orders for EGuideMagazine.com • 5

Maybe a Cupcake Will Help?

Girls Night Out - Date Night Private Parties - Corporate Events

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Located in Macy ’s Plaza 4744 S. Broadway Ave , Tyler Texas 75703 903.534.1188 www.popcornjunctiontx.com 6 • EGuideMagazine.com

Tuesday, April 14th - Taste of Tyler will be held at 6:30pm at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., Tyler. This annual event promises to present the best restaurants and food in town.

Come and treat yourself to an evening of fine food, entertainment and friendship. Visit the restaurant booths of your choice, as often as you choose, for delicious appetizers, breads, entrees, and desserts, along with complimentary water, sodas, beer, and wine. Circulate, socialize, and enjoy live music from three groups in separate areas - it’s the perfect recipe for a truly enjoyable evening. This is hosted by the East Texas Restaurant Association and Tyler Sunrise Rotary Club and all net proceeds are used for charitable causes. Tickets go on sale March 2nd.

Admission is $20 for advance purchase at www.tasteoftyler.com or $25 at the door.

Saturday, April 11th - Get your tickets NOW for the 8th Annual Celebrity Chef Celebration featuring Stephan Pyles which benefits the Tyler Woman’s Building, Inc. Cooking classes, cocktail reception and a seated dinner will be on slate. Get your tickets early because this event will sell out.

Call (903)520-2141 for reservations or sponsorships. Stephan Pyles is the chef at Stampede 66 in Dallas. Leslie Brenner, Dining Editor of “The Dallas Morning News,” calls Pyles’ restaurant a “Love Letter to Texas.” Inspired by his upbringing in Big Spring, Texas, and learning to cook at his parent’s truck stop restaurant, Chef Pyles has created what he refers to as “Modern Texas” cuisine - familiar Texas dishes re-invented with a contemporary twist. This is a fun evening, full of lively entertainment, scrumptious food, and libations.

News

Patriot Delivers!

Want Bruno’s Pizza delivered to your door? Cheng’s?

Cork? Well, then you are in luck.

Tyler’s newest restaurant delivery service offers to-your-door delivery from your favorite restaurants. Just go to www.prdtyler.com and click on your favorite restaurant, then select your menu items, sit back and wait for the door bell to ring. Patriot offers delivery from Bruno’s, Cheng’s, Cork, Daniel Boone’s, Dickey’s, Kabob Lounge, Newk’s, Burger Grind, Where’s Rufus, Basil Thai Cafe, The Diner, and What About Kabob. Delivery fee starts at $2.99. Also, during March, if it’s your first time ordering, use the code “PatriotEGuide” to get free delivery. Patriot delivers to residential, businesses, and hotels throughout the Tyler area.

Hungry for Crawfish? We recently took a drive out to Circle M Crawfish in Big Sandy (505 Hwy 155 S., Big Sandy, Texas 75755) and was it ever good!

It’s still early in ‘crawfish season,’ but Randy has some nice-sized, fresh and perfectly cooked crawfish! We paid $6.99 a pound and ate five pounds.

Our lips were burning, and we were very happy campers. Also, the recently added enclosed dining room is perfect for the unpredictable weather this spring and the patio (complete with picnic tables and umbrellas) will help you get some much needed vitamin D if the sun comes out.

Pup Treats, an added favorite menu item at Smallcakes (5875 Old Bullard Rd #300, Tyler, (903)561-8988) For a limited time, you can get your 4-legged friend a treat, too.

Pupcakes are $1.25 while supplies last and available by special order. Your best friend will give you tons of kisses for these wonderful treats.

What About Kabobs (713 WSW Loop 323, River Oaks Plaza, Tyler, (903)5817971) is under new ownership and the food is still totally awesome. Expect some renovations and a few menu changes, but definitely go meet the new owners. One of the best things so far are the longer hours. Starting the beginning of March, new hours will be Monday and Tuesday 11am3pm, Wednesday-Saturday 11am-8pm and they

are closed on Sundays. They are thinking about opening for lunch on Sundays, so if you would like to see this, be sure to let them know.

Edom Gallery (8334 FM 279 Edom,Texas 75756, (903)852-5552) offers live music on weekends, but did you know they also have an excellent menu?

Edom Gallery is so much more than your average art gallery. The Gallery Cafe offers fine dining, fresh and made to order lunches, fresh baked treats, real fruit smoothies, and Barista Coffee served up with lots of atmosphere. Chef Kat and Chef A. C. are in the kitchen serving up delicious cuisine for lunch and dinner along with tons of bakery items.

Dinner selections include Roasted Pork, Filet Beef Tips and Blackened Tilapia topped with tropical salsa which are just a few items on the menu. They are open Friday and Saturdays 10am-9pm and Sundays 11am-3pm. Sunday Brunch offers Eggs Benedict, Waffles and the Gallery Breakfast Plate that lets you sample a bunch of yummy goodness.

And for lunch, the vegetarian Quinoa Bites and the Avocado Veggie Sandwich are must-trys!

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Oh My! (4510 S. Broadway, Tyler, open everyday 11am-10pm, www.fiveguys. com) Burgers, dogs, sandwiches and fries - that’s all that’s on the menu! This simple approach makes this burger-joint a great addition to Tyler and another to put on your must-try list.

‘Create your own burger’ is the concept, so we did just that and created a Cheeseburger with swiss, grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapenos and A-1 Steak Sauce. We added a side of “Five Guys Style” fries and it was delicious. If you want something a little lighter, try the Cheese Veggie Sandwich.

Everything is cooked fresh and served up in huge portions. If you have small kids or are in a hurry, they offer an Order Online option too, so you can just buzz up and grab your to-go order. On a return trip, we had the shakes for the first time and were pleased that you get unlimited shake toppings (bananas, oreos, salted caramel, etc) - all for the same price.

Three Z Asian (5201 S. Broadway, Tyler, (903)525-9389) is getting some new murals painted by Dace Lucia Kidd.

She did the first round of murals when the restaurant opened last year. These pieces added a grace and elegance to the restaurant and now she is adding a few more works of art to the walls. No clues here about what they are - you’ll just have to go see for yourself what she’s up to! BTW, kids eat free all day on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree (12 and under, kids meals only). Also, watch 3Z’s Facebook page for all kinds of daily specials (recently they offered a free spring roll). Don’t forget dessert - try their unique creation - cheesecake spring rolls.

Collin Street Bakery, located in the La Piazza Shopping Center, 4815 Old Bullard Rd., Tyler, offers a great menu selection, along with their famous coffee and pastries. Enjoy a delicious lunch and shop their other tasty goodies to take home. We had the Strawberry Salad and a cup of Tomato Bisque Soup one day, and took home a box of pastries and desserts for the kids.

Coach’s & Cowboys (8374 Paluxy Drive, Tyler, (903)787-7520, www.coachsandcowboys.com) Did you know that you can get wings for 25 cents every Tuesday? Yes you read that right, $0.25 wings!

Trust us, these are good and spicy too. Just in case you need something cool and refreshing to go with those wings, they also offer $1.50 Rolling Rock draft, $2 domestic bottles and $5 domestic draft pitchers during happy hour 3-7pm.

Photo by Noreen Nartia

Events

We will post your stuff for FREE! To list your restaurant news, specials, additions and more, please send to:

EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

Movies Movie Reviews By

Dustin Chase

www.texasartfilm.com Dustin is a Member of the “Houston Film Critics Society” Film Critic/Assistant Editor for “Texas Art & Film” (texasartfilm.com) Film Critic for “The Daily News” (Galveston) Entertainment Reporter for “Galveston.com” Film Critic for “Island Guide,” (Galveston) & “EGuide Magazine” (Tyler) and Online Air Entertainment News Commentator at “News 92FM’s Livin’ Large”

“The Last Five Years” Starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan

I have concluded that director Richard LaGravenese was a one hit wonder as his only reputable film was “Living Out Loud.” Since then he has delivered nothing but love story misfires, from Hilary Swank in “P. S. I Love You” to his “Twilight” rip-off “Beautiful Creatures.”

“The Last Five Years” is an ambitious modern day musical, half of the two person cast sounds like perfection in the vocal arena. The technical choice to shoot the songs and record the performances live is a real testament to both Kendrick and Jordan’s stamina. However, I cannot think of a more depressing film for twenty-somethings. Not only a downer, but at times a “make-your-ears-bleed, when will this end, what stage of their relationship am I in,” mess.

Cathy (Kendrick) and Jamie (Jordan) starts out as the picture-perfect couple, a writer and a theater performer, dancing, singing and loving through the hard times. Their romance escalates quickly, they move in together, get married and when Jamie became very successful with his writing, Cathy still struggled at her auditions. As a result their resentment towards each other began to pile up. Cathy and Jamie met at the right place and at the right time, but as their lives changed, so did what they want, and their tolerance for each other becomes minimal.

Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Into the Woods”) is a very talented artist. She can go from musical, to comedy, to drama, and back to musicals, with unprecedented ease. Kendrick, unlike most actor/singers did not just ride her one musical performance hit like so many actor/singers do, but she managed to make a career out of it. She could almost be credited at sustaining the movie musical the past few years. Kendrick is also the highlight of this film, her vocal range is far beyond that of Jordan who makes his feature film debut. His credits include the short lived television show “Smashed.” Jordan however has a Rob Lowe type of annoyance about him and drowns half the film in it.

Songs like the opener “I’m Still Hurting” really set the tone for some highs and lows. The script, like life, is a roller coaster of emotions, showcased out of sequence to provide the audience with a varied perspective on how the characters got to that tearful opening scene.

There is a very endearing Christmas serenade and an hysterical inner monologue during an audition (“These are the people who cast Russell Crowe in a musical…”). Yet the 90 minute film feels like an endless tirade of singing arguments and we watch as this beautifully vivacious

relationship between two beautiful people turns into something really depressing over the next five years.

Final Thought – Kendrick sounds great, Jordan is a bore, and the movie is one big downer.

Grade C

“McFarland USA” Starring: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello and Carlos Pratts

“McFarland USA” from director Niki Caro (“Whale Rider,” “North Country”), is far better than I ever expected from a Disney film. From the trailer it appears to be just another inspirational sports film, only this time centered on crosscountry running, but it is far from it. “McFarland USA” is the title and the location: an unheard-of small town outside of Bakersfield, California. For at least the first 20 minutes, I could not stop comparing it to a film that debuted last month, “Spare Parts,” which is set up the same way with poor Mexican teens in need of a role model and looking for a way out.

However,“McFarland USA” turns into something very different, something that had the audiences in tears and elicited universal applause not once, but four times, before the credits.

Dismissed from his previous football coaching job, Jim White (Costner) finds a job as a PE teacher in McFarland USA. He uproots his family, including wife (Bello) and two daughters, to live in a town that has one Mexican restaurant and chickens for neighbors.

Many of the teenagers work for their families picking vegetables before and after school, and their options are limited to working the fields or prison, which is conveniently located beside the high school.

White, who the kids call “Blanco,” sees what a handful of the young students can do with their legs and motivates them to start running and to look at cross country as a way to go to college and have more options in life.

We have run the gamut of sports films and every interesting true story within; in the 90’s it was African American sports films, and now it seems we get to hear the inspirational stories of Mexican students who beat all odds. What “McFarland USA” does that I have not seen in any of the previous films, is focus on the place rather than on the coach, players, or the sport itself.

It is interesting how White gets involved in the cross country sport as a way to further his career and get out of this forgotten town, but it is that very thing that ends up changing not only his life, but literally the entire town. Caro, as she has done in the past, sheds light on unlikely places like McFarland, CA, where mostly Mexican immigrants work and farm the land to make a living. It is also a place where riches of culture and family are valued more highly than wealth and ambition.

As Costner continues to stake a career comeback, this performance and the film in general are far more engaging and moving than his previous “Black or White.” You get to leave this film not only having seen an incredible, triumphant story, but also with a better knowledge of Mexican heritage and the modern-day difficulties of poor, hard-working families all across America. It is also a film about perspective. When the McFarland team manages to barely place 4th place in their first race, with all the other runners hooping and hollering in celebration, Coach White turns around and sees his small 7 runners on their knees praying.

Final Thought – Caro elevates this far beyond a sports film, it’s about heritage and family.

Grade B+

For more movie reviews go to....

EGuideMagazine.com Updated Every Thursday with the Latest Movies to Hit the Big Screen!

The Old Firehouse Cinema Film Series presents:

“Force Majeure”

Saturday, March 28th at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm) A critical favorite at last year’s Cannes Film Festival where it took the Jury Prize in “Un Certain Regard,” this wickedly funny and precisely observed psychodrama tells the story of a model Swedish family—handsome businessman Tomas, his willowy wife Ebba, and their two blond children— on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but, during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche suddenly bears down on the happy diners. With people fleeing in all directions and his wife and children in a state of panic, Tomas makes a decision that will shake his marriage to its core and leave him struggling to reclaim his role as family patriarch.

Tickets are $8 in advance (+service fee) at www.theoldfirehouse.net or by calling (903)852-ART1 (2781). Tickets are also available at the door. The Old Firehouse in Edom is located at 8241 FM 279, downtown Edom.

Free Saturday Morning Movies at Tyler Library Saturday Morning Movies at the Tyler Library are free and fun for all ages. Featured this month are:

March’s Movies will be:

Monday – Thursday, March 9th -12th - Spring Movie Break Moviethon, daily starting at 10:30am

Saturday, March 21st - “Drive-In at the Library” starting at 10am

Kids will have the opportunity to create their own cardboard car and watch a major, feature length animated movie about cars from inside their new vehicle while enjoying car-side snacks. The building session will begin at 10am with the movie beginning at 11am. Registration is required at www.TylerLibrary.com.

Saturday, March 21st Teen Movie Matinee, 2pm

Pillows, blankets, and “carpet friendly” snacks are welcome.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18 at all times. The Tyler Library is located at 201 S. College, downtown Tyler. For more info call (903)593-7323. For titles of the movies, please visit www.TylerLibrary.com.

Liberty Hall, located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin St., and offers entertainment through film, theater, comedy and music.

Most movies are $5-$7 and begin at 7pm.

March “LOL at the Movies”

April Features “Wicked Women”

March 5th

April 9th

“The Thin Man” “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane” March 12th

April 16th

“Ghostbusters”

“Misery”

“Arsenic and Old Lace”

“Fatal Attraction”

March 19th

April 23rd April 30th

“Mommie Dearest”

Delivery From...

...and many more!

www.PRDTyler.com 903.508.3833 Patriot Restaurant Delivery EGuideMagazine.com • 7

Music

Ramoth Gilead:

Positive, Distinctive, and Soulful Music

By Noel Weems Musicians come in all forms these days. Some see their music as a creative release, while others view it as a way to have a good time. Even more find themselves playing their music for a living. Seldom do you find a singer/songwriter who uses their music to fulfill a mission. Ramoth (pronounced Ray-Moth) Gilead, “the really bad” as he’s known on stage, is one such performer. It is clear as you listen to him that he is talented. Singing a mix of his personal songs and wonderful covers from other artists, Ramoth is always full of soul, and after hearing his story, it is easy to understand why.

When Ramoth was a boy growing up in Ben Wheeler, he would take trips into ‘Town’ (Tyler) with his father in a Toyota mini-truck, and he remembers that they would listen to ‘Oldies’ on the radio. His song choices are highly influenced by those early days, when his father listened to Soul and his mother listened to 80’s Gospel. Ramoth expanded his love of music as he was growing up when he began playing the tuba in the school band during his 5th grade year at Van Public Schools. He transferred to John Tyler High School in the 10th grade and continued to play the tuba. After graduation, Ramoth attended Tyler Junior College and Texas College, where he pursued and earned a degree in Music Education. His initial desire was to be a band director in either Middle School or High School, much like the ones that had impacted his life so heavily. However after graduation, he felt as though he was being called to go in a different direction.

After making the decision to follow his heart, Ramoth packed up his Jeep and set off on an amazing journey. He played his first show on the road in Louisiana while staying with his ‘Christian family,’ Josh and Dwan. After that, he zigzagged across the country for a year playing open-mic nights and street corners and never having any real plans.

Because he was on the move he did not have steady employment, so he was living off his tip jar. Ramoth says that he learned that he could make it on the road, recalling that he never went hungry or lacked a place to sleep, even if that place sometimes was his Jeep. His faith was strong because he knew that he had something special.

It was that faith that helped get him through some of the tough times and scary situations that he faced on the road. He was detoured from his journey for about 6 months due to his Jeep having mechanical issues. Thankfully, he was able to stay with his Christian family again and use this time to grow spiritually and musically along with all other areas of his life. Once he was back on the road, Ramoth says that he knew that God was protecting him. His Jeep was broken into 3 times, almost 4, when the would-be thief walked away after realizing that Ramoth was in it. He walked down sketchy, unfamiliar streets with nothing but his guitar and the Good News, knowing that God was leading him. He was blessed by many people with money, places to sleep, and car repairs. Ramoth believes that these blessings were not coincidental. They allowed him to continue on his journey, carrying his upbeat, positive music everywhere he went.

Ramoth’s music is not only positive, it is also distinctive, with a soulful voice and guitar melodies that make you want to sing along, and the addition of harmonica and tambourine make it a unique listening experience. The idea to add the tambourine came to Ramoth after he had a unique experience of his own. One day, during his time spent traveling across the United States, Ramoth was singing on a street corner in New Orleans and while he was setting up, he was approached by another street performer. The man was apparently a regular entertainer in the Big Easy and he informed Ramoth that he was positioned in “his spot.” The local, a puppeteer, offered Ramoth one of his marionettes’ tambourines in exchange for the place on the corner. While Ramoth says that he would have moved for free, he was intrigued by the tiny tambourine and wondered how he could use it. It took some time and the proper shoe, but he eventually incorporated it into his act. Together with the harmonica that his father gave him, Ramoth really is a one-man-band.

He has great renditions of the songs that he covers (everything from Stevie Wonder and John Mayer to Outkast and Snoop Lion), but Ramoth’s true passion lies in writing and performing his own songs. He says that some of his songs come easily and were a more involved process. He described a time, shortly after he got married, that he developed writer’s block. With a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye, he said, “I loved the time with my wife, but it was difficult to write. I need solitude to write.” He was able to work his way past that block, partly with the help of a local group called East Texas Songwriters that meets the last Tuesday each month at Panera Bread on S. Broadway (anyone can attend), and he is once again writing, currently working on not one, but two, albums. The first will be a hip-hop album, produced by Orlando Williams of No Greater Love Productions. It will feature original tracks like “My Hoopty,” a fun, upbeat song about the trials and blessings of driving an old car, and the second album 8 • EGuideMagazine.com

meticulous technique is so seamlessly choreographed into the movements of his body that at times, quite frankly, it seems like the drums are playing him. Bringing it all together is bassist Stu Mahan, whose stoic underpinnings of complex rhythms solidify the group’s sound while showcasing his instinctual ability to both carry a song and let it drift into whatever it is becoming in the moment.

The London Souls are stopping in Texas as a part of their crosscountry Spring Tour with the Virginia-based band Sons of Bill. The tour begins on March 12th in Baltimore, Maryland, and then travels through Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Before arriving at Stanley’s, the trio will first showcase their talents to Texas audiences with three performances at Austin’s famed South by Southwest Festival. They will then continue on to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and

By Kimber Fountain Colorado.

The tour will conclude On March 20th, Stanley’s in around the time that their Tyler will thunder with the eclechighly-anticipated sophomore tic and oh-so-catchy rock of The album, “Here Come the Girls,” London Souls, and it guarantees debuts on April 7th. The first to be a show to remember. Actusingle off the album is already ally from New York, The London available on iTunes. Entitled Souls are a trio of guys named for “When I am With You,” the their adept ability at channeling tune is deliciously addictive, and the musical prowess and melodic it is an abashedly unashamed style of the best of British rock, tribute to the gleeful but insisand their live performances tent romanticism of the Beatles, resound with an array of equally who defined a complete genre of original and familiar sounds, songs by their ability to sound from the hard-hitting beats of happy, light, and vulnerable, Led Zeppelin to the addictive while simultaneously making hooks of The Beatles. it very clear that they were very Formed in 2008, the trio serious about how much they began their rehearsals via phone and interlove you. Most of the tracks on “Here Come net, and had never played together on the the Girls” were written and recorded in 2012 same stage until their very first performance. and were originally slated for release in JanuRegardless, the chemistry was there right from ary of 2013. Thus, the entire album promises the beginning, and the band remarks that “it to be equally as appealing and engaging as was just comfortable. It was always comfortthis first single, especially with its added role able right off the bat. From the first note it was as the proverbial phoenix from the ashes in one of those indescribable, soulful things that Tash’s triumphant journey to recovery. you can’t plan out.” The fusion of their indiThe London Souls have been featured vidual talents was made even easier by their in “Entertainment Weekly,” and recorded a collective admiration for the work of British spectacular performance in New Orleans for rock-pioneers like Cream and The Hollies.

Jam in the Van, the tour of a self-proclaimed Although completely unified in their flaw“music discovery vehicle,” a solar-powered less delivery of idiosyncratic beats and intri‘Jam Van’ that tours the country in search cate musical devices, the strength and agility of hidden talent. They have also recently of each of the individual musicians is noteworthy. Tash Neal, lead gui- announced plans for a European tour this summer, where they will tarist and vocalist, is like the icing and the cake altogether. His comjoin the Bilbao BBK Live Ticket with the likes of Muse and the Countmanding vocal presence and definitive grace both cement the austerity ing Crows. of the group and simultaneously embellish the trio’s sound with a guiFor up to date information and tour dates for The London Souls, tar that may as well be a third arm. Tash’s life itself recently played out visit their website www.thelondonsouls.com, or follow them on Facelike a dramatic rock opera, as shortly after they completed recording book. For music videos and clips of their live performances, subscribe their second studio album he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. to #TheLondonSouls on YouTube.

After two years of recovery that included a medically-induced coma Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ is located at 525 S Beckham Avenue in and the subsequent delay of the release of their second album, Tash has Tyler, (903)593-0311. There will be a cover charge for this concert. rebounded with an artistic vengeance that is unleashed nightly onto his willing guitar.

To feature your restaurant here, e-mail us at Drummer Chris St. Hilaire plays with a machine-like precision, further punctuated but also softened by his added role as backup vocalist. His abrupt and accurate staccatos never miss their mark, and his will be an eclectic mix of original tunes produced by Dre Philips of APRecording.

You can see Ramoth frequenting many stages in the East Texas area. He is currently playing every Monday night at Stanley’s Barbecue and is also a regular at Jakes, Shogun’s, Cork, The Forge, and others.

You can follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RamothGilead, or find his music on www.reverbnation.com/thereallybad.

The London Souls:

New York’s Best Kept Secret Comes to Tyler

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Concerts & Events

Friday, March 6th, 8pm - Marty Stuart will perform at Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University, Longview.

Marty Stuart is a five-time Grammy winner, platinum recording artist, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, Southern culture historian, photographer, musician, songwriter, TV show host, charismatic force of nature, and country music fan. Since starting out singing gospel as a child, Stuart, 54, has spent over four decades celebrating American roots music with a missionary’s zeal. His teenage years on tour with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt in the ‘70’s were followed by six years in Johnny Cash’s band during the ‘80’s and a chart-topping tenure as a solo artist in the ‘90’s. The turn of the century saw Stuart looking inward to make deeply felt records paying homage to his love of vintage gospel, his Native American passions, and as always, his core - foot-stompin’, tail-shakin’, honky tonkin’, rockin’ hillbilly music. His latest musical oeuvre is ably supported by the coolest cats in Nashville, his backing band, The Fabulous Superlatives: guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson, and bassist Paul Martin.

Stuart’s zest for every conceivable flavor of country music is also seen regularly by TV viewers these days, on RFD-TV’s “The Marty Stuart Show,” a musical variety show and the number one program on the network. So, what’s next? As musicologist Peter North cites, “Marty Stuart seems wrapped in his destiny at this point in time. Not only as country music’s most notable ambassador/caretaker, but as its main archetypical crusader. He has without question evolved into one of the most important roots musicians and visionaries in America.”

Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Tickets start at $35. Please note, this show may use theatrical haze and bright or flashing lights.

March 7th, 8pm - Dave Alexander will perform at Liberty Hall, downtown Tyler. Once you have seen Dave Alexander in concert, it is easy to understand why he has been named “Entertainer Of The Year” by the Academy of Western Artists. Throughout his successful and award-winning career, this dynamic entertainer has gained the respect of his peers while mesmerizing his audiences with each performance. His talents as a performer are unsurpassed as recently exemplified by his induction into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame and being named “Male Vocalist of The Year” by the Academy of Western Artists. Dave has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in country music like George Strait, Toby Keith, and LeAnn Rimes, while carving out his own stellar career in the music industry. The three-time Grammy nominee remains one of the nation’s top selling western artists. Alexander has been recognized as having created the finest Western Big Band ever assembled to deliver his overwhelming performances. Great western musicians, combined with his incomparable horn section, make up the finest musical ensemble on the road today. His latest feature film, “The Hi Low Country” includes music written, arranged, and performed by Dave with such artists as Willie Nelson and Marty Stuart. This film received a Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Dave Alexander will be in concert March 7th at 8pm. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door the night of the show (if not sold out).

VIP Boxes (seat 4) are $150. Liberty Hall is located at 103 E. Erwin, downtown Tyler, (903)595-7274, www.libertytyler.com. This show is expected to sell out quickly.

Saturday, March 7th, 7:30pm - Toby Mac, Mandisa, and Capital Kings will be in concert at The Oil Palace, Tyler. This great concert begins at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 6pm at The Oil Palace, 10408 Hwy. 64, Tyler. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.oilpalace.com.

Saturday, March 14th, 7:30pm - “Live From Nashville” will be presented at Caldwell Auditorium, Tyler. This high-octane country show with a live band will be on stage at Caldwell Auditorium.

This international award-winning production company is a fully produced song and dance spectacular with breathtaking scenery, multimedia and costumes. Nashville-based Matt Davenport Productions celebrates the songs that gave Music City its name – from rural roots to sold-out stadiums. Hank, Patsy, and the latest from Nashville, along with stellar stagecraft, country singers and dancers are backed by a bonafide band of Nashville sidemen. “TylerLive!,” presented by Tyler Community Concert Association, is an exciting series of concerts geared towards the music enthusiast. To purchase tickets visit online at www.tcca.biz, call (903)592-6266 or purchase at the door. All concerts are held at Caldwell Auditorium, downtown Tyler.

Thursday, March 26th, 7:30pm - Blue Man Group will be in concert at Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University, Longview.

Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group’s show is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous experience that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. This unique theatrical experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else, guaranteed to be an event you will never forget. This is sponsored by Longview Regional Medical Center and Eastman. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Tickets start at $35.

March 28th, 8pm - Bob Schneider will be in concert at Liberty Hall, downtown Tyler.

Bob Schneider, a Tyler favorite, is a fixture on the Austin music scene, having kicked around for years in various bands before embarking on a solo career in 1999. Born in Michigan and partially raised in Germany, he dropped out of the University of Texas at El Paso to front his first band, the funk and rap outfit “Joe Rockhead.” The band released three independent albums before disbanding prior to signing with a major label. A stint with a band called “The Ugly Americans” followed, which experienced some success as an opening act for the Dave Matthews Band. Then in 1997, Schneider went on to co-found the “Scabs,” where he made a further name for himself. He then became a solo act in 1999. Schneider has released several albums, including various “side projects” via his own label, Shockorama Records. Schneider’s most recent release was 2014’s “Burden of Proof.” “If you like something different and you love a party, you will love Bob’s show. I had no idea who he was until we had him at Liberty Hall and now I am a huge fan,” said Anne Payne, Liberty Hall Manager. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door starting at 7pm, if still available - Mr. Schneider usually sells out.

VIP Boxes are $150 and seat four. Liberty Hall is located at 103 E. Erwin, downtown Tyler (903)595-7274, www.libertytyler.com.

Saturday, March 28th, 7:30pm - “Masters of the Fiddle: A Celtic Family Celebration” will perform at Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University. Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are two of the world’s most celebrated fiddlers. They also happen to be married. Together, Natalie and Donnell meld their virtuosities into a whirlwind of fiddle-driven music, dance, and song, combining the best of French, Celtic, American Bluegrass, and even Cajun styles - making it their own. Joined by two highly-acclaimed pianists in their own right, Mac Morin and Erin Leahy, you will be treated to the foot-tapping rave-ups, heart-wrenching ballads, and worldclass step dancing that have brought audiences to their feet on three (and counting) continents. By the time you leave you will have been enriched by the music, the stories, and the warmth of the Cape Breton lifestyle and hospitality that draws visitors from around the world. This is sponsored by Neiman Marcus and Pelaia Law Center.

Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Tickets start at $45.

Sunday, March 29th, 4pm and 7pm - Donny Edwards “A True

Tribute to Elvis” - Donny Edwards is the most sought after Elvis tribute artist in the world. Recently Donny was chosen as the first and only Elvis entertainer to perform on the estate of Graceland. Donny will take you through the early years and Elvis’ 70’s concert era.

Special guest Dion Pride (son of Charley Pride) will open the show.

Accompanying both of these world famous entertainers will be the 8 member band “Fever!” For reservations call (832)312-0074 or go to www.donnyedwardslive.com. Liberty Hall is located at 103 E. Erwin, downtown Tyler (903)595-7274, www.libertytyler.com.

Friday, April 10th, 7:30pm - “Southern Troubadours: Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, and Paul Thorn” will be in concert at Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University. Three distinctly different artists share the stage for an evening of song swapping. Joe Ely, a founding member of The Flatlanders, is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music touches on honky-tonk, Texas country, Tex-Mex, and rock and roll. Those who have followed Ruthie Foster know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk, and gospel. Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride, one that has included two Savannah Music Festival performances and house concerts over the past five years. Ruthie Foster follows consecutive Grammy-nominated albums with her Meshell Ndegeocello-produced “Promise of a Brand New Day,” released in 2014 on Blue Corn Music.

Paul Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music - bluesy, rocking, and thoroughly Southern. The Mississippi-bred singer crafts an original set of rock anthems for his new album, “Too Blessed to be Stressed,” on Perpetual Obscurity/ Thirty Tigers. The heralded songwriter follows up his most successful release to date, plus his AAA radio airplay-winning contribution to the Jackson Browne tribute disc, with ten feel-good numbers that already have audiences singing along. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com.

Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Tickets start at $25 and is guaranteed to sell out.

Saturday, April 11th - Vince Neil from the Legendary Motley Crue, Queensryche and special guest Great White will be in concert at The Oil Palace, Tyler This great concert will begin at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 6pm at The Oil Palace, 10408 Hwy. 64, Tyler.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.oilpalace.com.

Saturday, May 2nd - Red Dirt Festival with headliner Josh Abbott Band will be the highlight of the spring in downtown Tyler! Also performing will be Stoney Larue, Kyle Park, Uncle Lucius and The Bigsbys. Eighteen of Texas’ best barbecue restaurants will set up shop around the square, giving you the opportunity to sample meats from each one.

As you go from one BBQ joint’s booth to the next, you will get to shop with various vendors, enjoy some tasty beverages from Shiner, spend some time with the state’s most prolific pitmasters, and have a good ol’ time. You will experience some fantastic Texas tunes throughout, but that night is when we will bring out some of the heavyweights in Texas music for a five-band lineup. 18 of Texas best BBQ joints will be on hand for your tasting pleasures. VIP tickets are already sold out, general admission tickets are $50 and concert only tickets are $25. Last year all tickets sold out. For tickets go to www.reddirtbbqfest.com/bbq-joints.

Saturday, June 13th - The 2015 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala features Dwight Yoakam - This year the Cattle Barons will host Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dwight Yoakam. Yoakam is the headline entertainer for the event, scheduled for June 13th at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. The theme for the 28th annual gala is “Remember the Cause.” Gala co-chairwoman Jennifer Gaston said changing the location to in-town and inside will eliminate some of the aura inherent in its previous setting on the ranch, where it has been held in past years, but it will also be easier to access and more convenient. The gala raises money for the American Cancer Society which funds and conducts cancer research, advocates for laws to further the fight against the disease, and promotes access to quality, affordable health care, according to its website. This past year’s gala raised more than $309,000 for the organization.

WE HAVE CRAWFISH!!!

Steaks - Burgers - Seafood......Karaoke Saturday Nights......Hwy. 155 South, Flint - 903.825.1975 EGuideMagazine.com • 9

Support Your Local Music Scene:

My Top 10 Favorite Bands

By John Baggett

Every city has a local music scene, and it’s there you will find more dedicated groups of fans than anywhere else. In fact, I think the fandom for local bands is sometimes more rabid than the ones for national acts, especially when talking about the love and not the numbers. It can also produce a more flippant attitude, because it is easier to skip a local show than a big band coming to town. Foo Fighters might only play where you live once every two years, but it is easy to pass on a local show. You think, “I’ll catch the next one,” because most times there will be a next show. But that attitude can be detrimental to the future success of the bands. Venues do not book acts that are only going to draw five people, even if they are one of the best bands playing. No love means no gigs, and no gigs means no future for these bands. If you love music, you really should check out your local bands. The local bands listed below are those I know in one form or another. Some I have seen live, some I have not (though not for lack of trying). For many of them, I know one or more members outside of their music, and think their contributions should undoubtedly be recognized.

Channel 8

How many people can say they bought a copy of a band’s album out of the drummer’s car?

Well, that is absolutely how I got my copy of Channel 8’s debut “Space Animals.” I handed drummer Casey Coomer $5, and we walked to his car and I got my copy. Yes, I could have bought it digitally but I wanted a physical copy, and Casey was happy to oblige. The band is made up of Coomer on drums and vocals and lead singer/guitarist Patrick Salkin.

The music is loud, noisy, and quality. These guys are not the White Stripes (or whatever two person musical act lights your particular fire), they are better. They are also one of the hardest working bands I know, constantly playing anywhere they can. I think they have played more shows since forming than a lot of other bands I know, whether it is in a restaurant like What About Kabob’s or Double Dave’s Pizza or all the way to being part of the East Texas All Star Showcase in 2013. If you love noisy DIY rock n’ roll, then here is your band.

served as the house band for the Local Late Night show that was part of the East Texas Comedy Festival last summer. I have seen them perform a couple of times, and I think they are absolutely terrific. The band is truly versatile and can do a prog rock number one minute, follow it up with a Bad Religion cover the next, and then follow up with a solid alternative rock song. Some of their lyrics have a bit of humor to them, some are touching, and everything they do has been amazing.

If you need proof, check out their song “Prologue: The Great Dictator” from their e.p. “Skullduggery.” It still sends shivers down my spine. The band has three e.p.s and a single available on iTunes. It’s less than $20 and is some of the best music you will hear. Go give them some love and check out their live show as soon as you get a chance.

This Day Forth

This is another East Texas metal band that gets better each time I see them. These guys will melt your faces off. Their e.p. “…And Hope To Die” practically lived in my car CD player for weeks after seeing them play.

The record is both melodic and heavy, and their live show is energetic.

Blacktop This band is just getting started, but they have the look and the talent Mojo Rockett If you want to hear to make it big. I predict in a few years they could be playing some of Queen the big festivals. That is not just wishful thinking. These guys are solid, about bands that get Every show Rockbetter and better each heavy, and talented musicians. ett Queen plays singer time I see them, then Out Of The Question Walter Lee screams, “Are I have to talk about An acoustic duo that started off as you ready for a rock n’ Blacktop Mojo. The a quartet, Out of the Question has been roll revolution?” And if band hails from Palplaying all over the East Texas area, all Rockett Queen is leadestine. The first time for the joy of playing music. Singer/guiing this revolution into I saw them they were tarist Michael Gonzalez and guitarist/ battle then I want to be in a battle of the bands at Liberty Hall in Tyler and I thought they were percussionist Jeremy Flowers play anyon the front lines with good, and they had kind of a southern rock vibe to them. But as I have where and everywhere they can. They them. This band has been around since the early 2000’s, once voted by seen them lately, mostly playing with Rockett Queen, they have gotmostly play covers and serve to provide MTV as the best unsigned band in America. They had a song featured ten heavier and better with each gig. The band’s latest album “I Am” an ambient acoustic sound to your night on the soundtrack for “John Tucker Must Die” and since their 2011 e.p. was one of the best albums I heard last year, and its leadoff single, also out, and they are worth your atten“Goodnight California” came out, the band has been playing countless titled “I Am,” is sure to break them. Check the video out on YouTube. tion. You will find yourself singing along. It is always a good time when shows and working to make it on the national level. What I love about It has been just a few days since I last saw them play, and I am ready to these guys are playing. the band, first and foremost, is not that they are nice guys and have a them again. If you love solid, hard rock with just a bit of a southern great image, but their music is great. I came first for the music and still see Sleep Juliet edge, then get this record. It will floor you. continue to go for that same reason. The band is set to release a new Sleep Juliet is a relatively new Struck By record, tentatively titled “Light The Fuse,” sometime this year and the band hailing from Nacogdoches. Led songs they have been playing from it thus far have been outstanding. If Hammerz by singer Anna Valo, the band has you like hard rock, then by all means check these guys out.

I have shared started making a name for itself. Like Rockett Queen recently announced an exclusive deal with Amped, a stage with Rockett Queen and Blacktop Mojo, the new home to Metallica, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Idol, Steel Panther and Stuck By Hamthese guys and gal rock and rock hard.

Big & Rich. As part of the new deal, the band will release “Goodnight merz, not as a Valo has a fantastic voice and great California” in late April on CD, Vinyl and Digital formats worldwide singer, but it stage presence, and the band backing her up is super tight, bringing the right (www.ampeddistribution.com). was when they

LIVE MUSIC: March 7 - The Cable March 14 - 315 South March 21 - Tyler Lenius Band March 28 - Dazed Comfortable Casual Atmosphere Ladies Night on Wednesdays No Cover Charge, Ever!

Happy Hour Noon ‘til 5:00pm

10 • EGuideMagazine.com

amount of energy to every show they play. Their e.p.

“Where Nightmares Are Born” is available on iTunes and definitely worth checking out.

Downfall Rising

Downfall Rising is a band a lot like Sleep Juliet a female led hard rock band that knows how to bring the house down. They are also a band in transition, as singer Rachel Peloquin left the band late last year to pursue other activities. However, the band is carrying on.

Until they pick Peloquin’s successor, the band is not playing any shows, but they are still practicing and ready to jump back into the scene. They have an awesome e.p. out that you can check out on Bandcamp. I am looking forward to new stuff and new shows from this band!

She Craves*

She Craves comes with the asterisk because they are currently on hiatus. I’m hoping that they get back to playing soon because they were the first “local” band with which I became obsessed. They came from Austin, but I saw them three times live at Clicks in Tyler. I bought two copies of their full length album “Goodbye Radio Days” the first time I saw them (I gave one to a friend). By the second time

I saw them, I got to know them and periodically chat with them from time to time. Led by singer Christine Ely, the band is simply one of the best hard rock bands I have seen live. Every show I saw was tight and in my opinion they have the chops to make it on the national level. Since I last saw them live, bassist Tim Brown went on to be the drummer for Righteous Brisket. Drummer Ben Mills has been in numerous bands since but is currently tearing it up in Three33, thus turning one great band into three. I highly recommend downloading “Goodbye Radio Days” and their follow up e.p. “Static.” I also think you should check out Righteous Brisket and Three33 as well. All three bands are killer and their music deserves your attention.

Reign

The band formerly known as Magdalene has decided to re-brand themselves and made their debut performance at Click’s on February 27th. If the buzz around the show is any indication, then this band is out to set the world on fire and I can not wait for it to happen and see where they go.

The Old Firehouse Acoustic Concert Series presents:

Robby Hecht

Saturday March 14th at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm) Robby Hecht will take stage.

With his three indie releases, the internationally touring Nashville-based singer/songwriter Robby Hecht has distinguished himself as the second coming of James Taylor, or a gentler Damien Jurado. But,whatever the comparison, it is hard to miss that his songwriting is distinct and individual. He does not shy from the obvious rhyme, but manages it delicately, placing it only where it best serves the story or the mood.

“Robby Hecht sings like a whisper, like a hesitant truth that simply can’t go unsung anymore. His songs can invoke starry nights and fog rolling in on the beach. Lights turning off. Front porch silences and morning walks alone, holding hands for the first time, letting go for the last.” — Kim Ruehl, No Depression Robby has won many prestigious performing songwriter awards including Kerrville New Folk, Telluride Troubadour, and the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriting Competition.

For more on Robby go to www.robbyhecht.com.

Tickets are $12 in advance at www.theoldfirehouse.net or by calling (903)852-ART1 (2781). Tickets are $15 at the door. The Old Firehouse in Edom is located at 8241 FM 279, downtown Edom (Art-Music-Independent Films), the only concert “listening room” in the area.

Longriders Spring Thaw

Motorized Bar Stools Are In Search of the Utterly Rebellious Moore’s Store & The Forge Bar & Grill are hosting a Quiet Man tradition - the Bar Stool Races, to be held on March 21st in Ben Wheeler.

To participate you can either build your own or adopt one. Either way, this fun event will be something that you will want to be part of!

If you have the skills and wherewithal to build your own prototype, by all means let us know. You can be as creative as you like as long as you follow a few simple rules, available at benwheelertx.com. The more unique the better so come pour your creative juices into this fun project. Barstools must be available for future Ben Wheeler events and annual races, not show signs of abuse, and be kept in good working order. There will be an annual inspection by an authorized B.W.B.P.S. field agent to decide continued placement or removal.

You can pick up entry forms and the complete rules at Moore’s Store, The Forge Bar & Grill or online at www.BenWheelerTx.com.

March 20th-22nd The Spring Thaw featuring National Porta Potty Drags will be held at the Double P Arena in New Summerfield. DJ service will be by Boogie Butt Productions. Trigger Happy will perform Friday night, Saturday night music will be by Hubcap and the Loosenuts. A $10,000 Fun Run will be held as well as a Bike Show, field events, Run Pins for the first 500, children’s events, bike blessing and a church service on Sunday. The event is open to the public; for all riders there is $20 donation, children 16 and under are free. For more info call (903)3604206 or www.longridersmotorcyclecluboftyler.org.

Shriners Country Fest 2015 At Texas Woodstock with Miss Loretta Lynn

April 17th (3pm) at The Ranch, Troup As a fundraiser for the Shriners Shreveport Children’s Hospital, a Tyler promotions group called Texas Woodstock will present an all-day Classic Country Music Festival featuring many of the biggest names in Classic Country Music on Friday, April 17th. The event will be held on The Ranch, a 500 acre ranch located immediately off FM 345 on County Rd. 2152 east of Whitehouse (north of Troup).

Gates will open at 12 noon on Friday, April 17th.

The show begins at 3pm -12 midnight.

The Country Music headliner is Miss Loretta Lynn who performs at 8pm, with other classic country music stars such as T. Graham Brown, Janie Fricke, Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, Morgan Alexis, the Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Rodriquez and T. G. Shepherd performing throughout the day and evening.

Reserve tickets are $40, with general admission tickets $30. The reserved ticket area covers the region closest to the stage. For information, visit the Country Fest website at www.texaswoodstock.com.

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Sunday, March 1st

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – The Kopastetic Band, 8-10

Monday, March 2nd

C10, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

Tuesday, March 3rd

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Mojoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, March 4th

Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Max Stalling, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Sports Zone – DJ Cicero, 9-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10

Thursday, March 5th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – The Foundation, 9-12 Cork – The Tuxedo Cats, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – 8 Ball Aitken, 6-9 Half Moon – DJ Rufus, 8-12 Juls – Open Mic, 8-12 Momma B’s Shonuff Burger & BBQ, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 7-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12

Friday, March 6th

Belcher Center, Longview – Marty Stuart, 7:30pm Circle M Crawfish – Live Music, 7-10 Cork – The Tuxedo Cats, 7-10 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Ben & Wes, 7-10 Half Moon – The Kid Icarus Project, 7-10 Jake’s – Levi Kitchen, 8-11 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – The Trio, 8-11 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Tejas Brothers, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – The Eric Moseley Duo, 6-9 Republic Ice House – King Richard & The Bayou Boys, 8-12

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Ricks – Down Town Fever, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Soul Track Mind, 9-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, March 7th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Teazur, 9-1 Breakers – Nightwork, 8-10 Clicks – Bleed The Rain, can’t Kill The Ugly, Munkey Wrench, Kul, 9-1 Crawdaddy’s, Flint – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – DJ, 10-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Chris Wallace Band, 9-1 Edom Gallery, Edom – Mia Tallant, 6-9 Emaze At The Woods, Jacksonville – Ebb & Flo, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Jimmy Wallace, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Kevin Hahn, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Escape Artists, 9-1 Jake’s – Bongo & The Point, 8-11 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – The Bigsbys, 9-12 Liberty Hall – BlacktopGYPSY, Dave Alexander, 8pm Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Wesley Pruitt Band, 9-1 Oil Palace – Toby Mac, Mandisa & Capital Kings, 7pm Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Republic Ice House – Something Blue, 8-12 Rick’s – Safira, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Chris Colston, 9-1 XLN – The Cable, 9-1 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Sunday, March 8th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12

Monday, March 9th

C10, Jacksonville – Acoustic Pickin’ Circle, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

Tuesday, March 10th

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Momma B’s Shonuff Burger & BBQ, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, March 11th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Dale Sullivan, 7-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10

Thursday, March 12th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – FaLLeN, 9-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Jimmy Bailey, 7-10 Half Moon – DJ LL, 8-12 Juls – Open Mic, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12

Friday, March 13th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Dale Sullivan, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Bigboy Swagger, 7-10 Click’s Live – FaLLeN, Feel Never Real, 9-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Curtis Grimes, 9-12 Cork – DJ, 7-10 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 Emaze, Jacksonville – Todd Freeman & Pulletproof, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Kirby Kelley, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Jazz Connections, 6-9 Half Moon – Parker Heights Music, 8-12 Jake’s – Caitlyn Brette, 8-11 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – Stewart Mann & The Statesboro Revue, 8-11 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Maude Cobb, Longview – Little Texas, 6pm Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Pushwater, 9-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – Live acoustic music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Paul Shafer, 8-12 Ricks – In10City, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Delta Moon with Robert Cline JR, 9-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Where’s Rufus –Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Rick’s – Deja Groove, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Last Call Outlaws, 9-1 XLN – 315 South, 9-1 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Sunday, March 15th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12

Monday, March 16th

C10, Jacksonville – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

Tuesday, March 17th

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – St. Patricks Day With DJ Rufus, 8-12 Mojoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, March 18th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Cole Allen, 7-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Josh Ward, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10

Thursday, March 19th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 5-9 Cowan Center – The Capitol Steps, 7:30pm The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Rhett Sims, 7-10 Half Moon – DJ LL, 8-12 Juls – Open Mic, 8-12 Momma B’s Shonuff Burger & BBQ, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 7-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Saturday, March 14th Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6:30-9 The Back Porch, Kilgore – Sons Of The Republic, 9-1 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Breakers – Zion & Shana, 8-10 Stanley’s – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Caldwell Auditorium – Live From Nashville, 7:30pm Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Chip Murrey & Texas UnderFriday, March 20th ground, 7-10 The Back Porch, Kilgore – Westbound 21, 8-12 Clicks Live – Pulse DFW, Solice, 9-1 Clicks – Live Music, 9-12 Crawdaddy’s, Flint – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – DJ, 9-12 Cork - DJ, 10-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Karaoke, 8-12 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Black Ice, 9-1 DIY Spot – Ape Machine,Bone Wizzard, Ghetto The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Stefan Cotter, 7-10 Blaster 8-12 Fresh by Brookshire’s – The Magills, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Matt Dunn & Cherish Lee, Halfmoon Grill – DJ Rufus, 7-11 7-10 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Tuxedo Cats, 6-9 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 9-12 Half Moon – Country Willie Wedwards, 8-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Jakes – Ramoth Gilead, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Chris Wayne Band, Juls – DJ, 9-12 9-12 Lago Del Pino – Roxy Roca, 8-11 The Old Firehouse – Edom – Robert Hecht, 7-10 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Chase McClanahan, Purple Pig – Southernman, 6-9 8-12 Republic Ice House – Chris Wayne Band, 8-12

Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Purple Pig - Live Acoustic Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Casey Martin Band, 8-12 Ricks – Empire 6, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – London Souls with Babe & Channel 8, 9-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, March 21st

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Ally Venable Band, 9-1 Breakers – Shannon Baker, 8-10 Circle M Crawfish – Lady Chazz & The Tramps, 7-10 Cork – DJ, 10-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Gene Evans Band, 9-1 Edom Gallery, Edom – David Allen, 6-9 Emaze At The Woods, Jacksonville – Withrow Cooley, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Live Muisc, 7-10 FRESH by Brookshire’s – Blaine Hart Band, 6-9 Half Moon – Austin English Band, 8-12 Jakes – Live Music, 8-11 Lago Del Pino – LC Rocks, 9-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Chris Colston, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Republic Ice House – Kid Icarus Project, 8-12 Rick’s – Electric Circus, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Casey Martin, 9-1 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 XLN – Tyler Lenius Band, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – Chris Beall, 8-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – The Bigsbys, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – Live Acoustic Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – The Tuxedo Cats, 8-12 Rick’s – Professor D & The Playschool, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – If Birds Could Fly, 9-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, March 28th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Gene Evans Band, 9-1 Breakers – Todd Rinlee, 8-10 Click’s Live – The Toadies, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Live Music, 7-10 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Last Chance Band, 8-12

Edom Gallery, Edom – Keith Rea, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Heather Little & Bridgette Tatum, 7-10 FRESH by Brookshire’s – Purple Velvet Fox, 6-9 Half Moon Grill – Lager & The Fatties, 9-1 Jake’s – Live Music, 9-12 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – Dovetail, 8-11 Liberty Hall – Anna Grey, Bob Schneider, 8pm Mario’s – Live Jazz 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Mouse & The Traps, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6:30-9 Republic Ice House – Jay Johnson, 8-12 Ricks – Live 80, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Where’s Rufus DJ, 9-1 XLN – Dazed, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Sunday, March 29th

C10, Jacksonville - Ultimate Jam & Musicians Swap

Meet, 12-6 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – The Kopastetic Band, 8-10 Liberty Hall – Donny Edwards is Elvis, 2pm

Monday, March 30th

Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

Tuesday, March 31st

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

For CD Reviews, Videos, and more Music Stuff, go to:

EGuideMagazine.com

To list your gigs, send them by the 20th of each month to: EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

Sunday, March 22nd

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 8-12 Cork – Lauren Alexander, 7-10

Monday, March 23rd

C10, Jacksonville – Jazzin’ in J’ville, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

Tuesday, March 24th

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, March 25th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Chris Colston, 9-1 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Jon Wolfe, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10

Thursday, March 26th

Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 5-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Bobby Duncan, 7-10 Half Moon – DJ LL, 8-12 Juls – Open Mic, 8-12 Momma B’s Shonuff Burger & BBQ, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 7-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6:30-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12

Friday, March 27th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Lady Chazz & The Tramps, 9-1 Cork – DJ, 9-12 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Heather Little & Bridgette Tatum, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Better Days Review, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Troy Cartwright, 8-12 Jake’s – LaDarius Daniels, 8-11

EGuideMagazine.com • 15

To Do

Celebrate National Quilting Days at the Tyler Quilt Show

By Gini Rainey

Children’s Park of Tyler: An Expansion Is Underway

By Lynn Dark Spring is coming. Maybe not soon enough, but it is coming. I promise. Do you think you might find yourself looking for an affordable outdoor outing when the weather gets nice? If so, please allow me to make a suggestion.

We are lucky in Tyler to have so many beautiful locations, but I would like to draw your attention to the Children’s Park of Tyler. It is located at the intersection of S. Broadway and Dobbs St. I have driven past it many times, but after being asked to write about its upcoming expansion, I spent some time there.

The park is owned by the City of Tyler, so it is a public facility, and maintained by the city. Its peaceful beauty is infectious, and it is a perfect setting for engagement and graduation photos. In fact, students have been known to use the space for their photography projects. People come here for weddings, birthdays, picnics, quiet time, reading, and most importantly, to celebrate the lives of all children.

If you do not know the story behind the park, you might be surprised to find out that a story which starts out so unbelievably sad could turn into something so beautiful and inspirational. Jennifer Carson lost her son Braden only hours before he should have been born. She sensed that something was wrong, but by the time she got to the hospital, it was too late.

Her tragic loss and healing process inspired her to found the Children Are a Gift Foundation (CAGF), which is responsible for building the park. Jennifer was kind enough to invite me into her home to discuss the park’s expansion, as well as the foundation’s mission.

The landscaping of the original park is stunning. It includes several statues, flower gardens, a butterfly garden, two waterfalls, a pond, rocked paths, and many other features. You may remember the story of Megan Leann Holden, who was abducted from a Wal-Mart parking lot in 2005.

An anonymous donor funded one of the waterfalls in her honor. It is called Megan’s Falls.

The CAGF purchased the land after making sure that the city would receive it as a gift. When the original park was completed in 2004, the foundation donated it to the City of Tyler.

After the original park was completed, the people involved in the foundation realized that they had not anticipated all of the reasons that people would use the park. Many people wanted to have weddings and other large events at the park, but there was no indoor facility to accommodate large groups, nor was there a large, flat surface on which to place chairs.

When Carson’s mother-in-law was in the hospital, she visited the park, and realized that there was no secluded section of the park for a more intimate experience. She envisioned a space for meeting the needs of someone seeking a quiet place to spend their time.

The planned expansion includes a prayer and meditation garden, as well as facilities for large groups. There will be an additional bridge over the water flowing through the park, and more rock paths.

The house on the property is called Alison’s House in memory of Alison Joy Baker, the daughter of C.C. and Brenda Baker. The foundation has used it for office space in the past, but it has been remodeled to accommodate groups. A deck is being built behind the house for outdoor events, and there will also be a large lawn space leading down to the water. Bathroom facilities are also being constructed.

The lawn space will be able to accommodate 300 people, and roughly 25 people can be seated inside Alison’s House, although the deck extends that number to about 80. This should meet the needs of anyone looking to host a wedding, birthday party, business lunch, and more.

The CAGF has also partnered with the Women’s Building, located on the other side of S. Broadway, to allow for outdoor weddings and an additional venue for large receptions. If the weather does not cooperate for outdoor weddings, they can be moved across the street as well.

It should be noted that the spaces can be rented, but the remaining details are the responsibility of those hosting each event. Beer and wine will be allowed at event spaces, but not in the main park area. If beer and wine are served, the host will be required to provide a security guard.

The main park is, after all, primarily a place devoted to children.

A D

The house, deck, and lawn areas must be rented for events. While the main park area is free to the public, if you want priority for your function, you should go ahead and rent the space. Once the expansion project is completed, several renting options will be available.

The CAFG has raised $800,000 to cover the cost of the expansion.

The City of Tyler has donated $127,500 to the project, and will maintain the property upon completion. The foundation will retain ownership of Alison’s House, and the city will own everything else. In other words, the CAGF will maintain the inside of the house, and the City of Tyler will maintain everything on the outside.

The CAGF hosts three annual events in the park. The Teddy Bear picnic is held in April (April 19th this year). Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bears to the event. Several booths are set up for things like face painting, and flower planting. There is no playground equipment, but children have the opportunity to explore and discover the joy of playing in nature. There is no cost to attend the picnic, but $1 donations are appreciated.

The Day of Remembrance is held in October. This event is for anyone who has lost a child. There are usually about 100 children represented with approximately 300-350 people in attendance. The foundation also hosts a Christmas event.

Another integral part of the foundation is Glory Babies, which is a support group for those who have lost an infant during pregnancy, or within the first year of its life. The group provides an opportunity for people to share their stories, and express their feelings. The group meets monthly at Alison’s House. The CAGF provides Glory Babies brochures to doctors and funeral homes in the area.

There are many opportunities to support the park and help fund the maintenance and expansion.. Wherever you see a name in the park, a donation has been made. In addition to being engraved into larger items, stones located along the rock paths are also etched with names. There are over 500 names located throughout the park, but not all of the names represent children who have died. The park celebrates the lives of all children, too. You can have a child’s name put on a stone for a $250 donation.

Other opportunities include a tree planting with a bronze plaque for a $2500 donation, or you can become a Friend of the Park ($100 - $999), a Major Donor ($1000 or above), or a Founding Father ($100, $200, or $300). This echoes the donation drive for Phase 1 of the park, which included Founding Mothers instead of Founding Fathers.

Donor’s names will be listed on new plaques in the park, and Founding Fathers’ names will be listed as individuals. A Friend of the Park could be listed as an individual, a couple, a business, or anything the donor wants it to be, and Major Donors can be listed as they wish.

The CAGF is a non-profit organization that does business as the Children’s Park of Tyler. The reason for this is to avoid confusion. The foundation has no connection to the Children Are a Gift segment on CBS 19 (KYTX).

MHS Planning and Design, owned by Mark Spencer, has done all of the landscaping for the park. Spencer has been involved in the project from the beginning. After learning what the space was to be used for, he hit the ground running, and the foundation could not be more pleased with the results. Among other things, the park was designed as a place for taking portraits. CAGF receives Christmas cards from people who had their photos taken in the park, and they see business pictures with the park as a backdrop in magazines.

The Children Are a Gift Foundation is a faith-based, non-profit organization, though it is not affiliated with any particular church. For more information, please visit their website at www.childrensparktyler.com.

Normally National Quilting Day is just that, one day, specifically the third Saturday in March. But this year the Quilters Guild of East Texas is planning a celebration so big they need two, Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st. In fact it is so big they have expanded the show to the entire Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., Tyler. There’s more quilts, more fabric, more merchants, more patterns, more everything!

Their Show “Color Your World With Quilts” is part of the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which brings a festive atmosphere to the entire city. Outside the Convention Center, the impact of color can be seen in all of the beautiful azaleas, but inside Harvey Hall the color of quilts will dominate.

Because of the size of this year’s event, the Guild has appointed two quilt-show chairmen. Co-Chairman Karen Thornton reports, “This is a show for beginning quilters, experienced quilters, and those who like to remember the quilts grandma made and view how quilting changes through the years.” Co-Chairman Jan Copas says, “Color plays such a large part in our lives, so we chose the theme to encourage quilters to use the beautiful fabrics available to express themselves.”

General admission is $7 and seniors 65 and over and children 6-12 are $6.

The admission price will give you access to all three halls and includes a show program that will give information about the quilts, a time schedule for the hourly demonstrations, ads from some of the merchants, and other special events that are planned.

Attendees will be given an opportunity to judge the quilts on display by using the viewer’s choice award ballot and will also receive information about upcoming quilt shows, guild meeting dates, places to eat, attractions, Tyler maps, Azalea Trail events, and much more.

Children’s activities include a Scavenger Hunt, and are designed to help the children learn to appreciate the quilts. Prizes will be given to all children who participate.

Judges for this event will be TV celebrity Mike Landess of KYTX 19 and Connie Silber of Bryan, Texas, who is a Certified Judge of Quilting.

Awards will be given in various categories including Best Traditional Quilt, Best Adaptation of Theme, Exemplary Piecing, Judge’s Choice, Best of Show, and many others.

Each year, volunteers from the guild make a quilt and the net proceeds from the raffle are given to local charities that serve women and children. This year’s raffle quilt entitled “Color of Spring” was made

by Cheryl Pontious and Ampora Cates, and it is a stunning, multicolored quilt. The drawing will take place at 4pm on Saturday, March 21st, with proceeds going to help others in our community. The recipients and programs that will benefit from this year’s Quilt Show are The Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County, St. Paul Children’s Foundation, and East Texas Food Bank.

For more information about the Quilt Show and to download an entry form, visit www.qgetx.org/quilt-show.html or email tylerquiltshow@hotmail.com.

Events

Wednesday, March 4th - “Great Decisions” - Join the Tyler Library in the Taylor Auditorium every Wednesday at 12 noon for this year’s selection of foreign policy discussions. This year’s series runs through March 4th with one final discussion planned. After each session, participants will have the opportunity to join the speaker at lunch to continue the dialogue over that day’s topic. To join the lunch discussion, sign up the day of the lecture. March 4th, “Brazil’s Metamorphosis” will be presented by Dr. Colin Snider, Professor of History, UT Tyler. “Brazil - it’s the ‘B’ in the acronym BRICS, five emerging economies once seen as soon-to-be super powers. After economic troubles in the 1990’s, Brazil has risen to new global

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(903) 787-7547

2029 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler

prominence, it is drawing in more investment, working on global issues ranging from climate change to peacekeeping, and even hosting the 2016 Olympics. But some of Brazil’s trickiest problems - deep divisions over how to tackle serious income inequality, weak civic institutions, and poor regional leadership - have held it back. The Tyler Library is located at 201 S. College, downtown Tyler. For more info call (903)593-7323, library.cityoftyler.org. Briefing books are available for $22 at the Library check-out desk.

Saturday, March 7th - 34th Rose City Chili Cook-off benefiting the Spirit of St. Louis Therapeutic Riding Program for special needs adults and teens will be held starting at 11am. Public tasting for People’s Choice voting begins at 11am with a $3 tasting cup.

Anyone can cook in any of the open categories. Along with lots of yummy chili, there will also be beans. Registration opens at 8:30am, pre-registration by mail is available by sending an application to Rose City POD, PO Box 132401, Tyler, TX 75713. For more information, call Blu MondayDaniels (903)372-2818. This is free to attend and is always a great, fun event. The Chili Cook-off will be held at Gander Mountain, 150 Market Square Blvd. just off S. Broadway, Tyler.

Saturday, March 7th - (First Saturday of the month) - Country and Western Dancing - Make a date to meet at TASCA for an evening of dancing. The next dance will be held 7-9:30pm in the TASCA Activity Center Ballroom. Music will be provided by “Caddo Creek.”

Bring a snack to share and have fun. Admission is $5 per person. For more info call (903)871-3217 or send an email to info@tasca.org.

These lessons are held at TASCA Activity Center Ballroom, 10495 CR 2167, Whitehouse, (903)871-3217, www.tasca.org.

Saturday, March 7th - Disability Expo Walk & Roll will be held at Robert E. Lee High School Track, 411 East Southeast Loop 323, Tyler, starting at 9am. This regional event is designed to bring together individuals of all ages and families for whom disability is one aspect of their lives, with focus on community engagement, sharing helpful information, fun recreational activities, and an opportunity to make new friends who are also moving forward with life. For more info call (903)581-7542.

Saturday, March 7th - 4th Annual Spring Rummage Sale - Families who would like to do a little spring cleaning and make a little money are invited to take part in the rummage sale at the Glass Recreation Center. This sale is for used items only, no baked items allowed.

There is free admission to the public and donations will be accepted.

The facility will be open for vendors to bring items on Friday, March 6th from 5-9pm only. The facility will open at 7am for the rummage sale and not before. Glass Recreation Center is located at 501 W. 32nd, Tyler. For more info go to parksandrec.cityoftyler.org or call (903)595-7271.

Friday, March 6th - “Heart Strings: A Night of Celebration” Women’s Symphony League Ball will be held at 7pm at Harvey Convention Center. This fun night will feature dinner, dancing and a silent auction. This 60 year celebration presenting The Junior Symphony League will benefit the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and Women’s Symphony League Music Education Programs. For tickets, call (903)526-3876. Tickets start at $182 plus a convenience fee of 4% for all online payments.

Thursday, March 12th - “Mega Bunco Bash Presented by Moon Sisterhood” will be held at FRESH by Brookshire’s. Come join us for an epic event of Bunco mania! Seating is limited, so get your tickets early. Every person who purchases a ticket will be entered in a fabulous prize drawing. Tickets are $10 and available at eventbrite.com. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played, the promise to show you how - it only requires the ability to roll dice and count to 21.

Friday-Sunday, March 13th-15th - Texas East Gymnastics is holding the 9th annual Rose City Classic Invitational Gymnastics Meet. The USAG sanctioned meet will have over 500 female gymnasts competing. Competitors are from all over Texas as well as surrounding states. The meet will include gymnastics Levels 2-10 as well as Xcel athletes and elite gymnasts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Foundation for Life FitSTEPS for Life program. This will be held at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center on the UT Tyler college campus, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler. Tickets are adults $15/session or $25/weekend; children (12 and under) are $5/session or $10/weekend. Friday meets begin at 6pm and Saturday and Sunday at 9am.

Friday, March 13th- Wings of Freedom Tour (2-5pm) - Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to Tyler, hosted by the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM).

P-51, B-17, B-24, and Huey Helicopter will be arriving March 13th at approximately 2pm and will be on display March 14th-15th from 9am-5pm. Ground tours will be available, including entrance to the museum, for $12 adult and $6 children 12 and under. Rides are available through Collings Foundation by calling (800)568-8924 or at www.collingsfoundation.org. For more info please call HAMM at (903)526-1945.

Saturday, March 14th (9am-4pm) - 15th Annual Family History Fair - Come join the fun at this one-day seminar featuring guest lecturer and keynote speaker Susan D. Kaufman, B.S., in the morning, presenting “Piecing Together the Past,” “Using Criminal Records for Genealogical Research,” and afternoon breakout sessions with six speakers. Walk-ins welcome but pre-registration guarantees an event packet. Download pre-registration and box lunch order form at www. etgs.org or 2015-fhf-tylertx.blogspot.com. You may also bring a sack lunch or eat at area restaurants. Afternoon Breakout Sessions include (45 minutes each) “Clayton Library: The Gem of the Gulf Coast” by Susan Kaufman. B.S., “Quilts & Their Stories: Binding Generations Together” by Dr. Deborah Burkett, “DNA and Genetic Genealogy” by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL, “Sound Census Strategy” by Debbie P. Wayne, “Getting Started with FamilySearch - Free Resource for Family History” by Web Freeman, MMS, MA, “Storytelling: Making Genealogy Come to Life by Telling ‘The Rest of the Story’” with Jim Connally, and “Beginning Genealogy” and other courses for Youth (12-17) with Angela Johnston, Youth Track. This will be held at Tyler Stake Family History Center, 1617 Shiloh Rd., Tyler. For more info call (903)539-5572 or log on at www.etgs.org.

Saturday, March 14th - East Texas Bombers Rollerderby - Are you ready East Texas? It’s time to get loud, Bomb Squad! We are bringing the excitement of Roller Derby to your backyard. Whether you are a long-time fan or this is your first bout, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the exciting world of Roller Derby. This is great family fun.

Roller derby is a serious sport but it is also serious fun. The hits that happen on the track are full body contact and skaters may go flying into the suicide seats section. The bout schedule is: • March 14th: Double Header - Backwoods Bombshells vs. Conroe Cutthroats (3pm) and East Texas Bombers vs. Gulf Coast Roller Girls (5pm) • June 13th: East Texas Bombers vs. Girls Rollin’ in The South • August 1st: East Texas Bombers vs. Assassination City’s Conspiracy A • September 19th: East Texas Bombers vs. HRDs Knockouts • October 24th: East Texas Bombers vs. River Valley Rollergirls Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door. Suicide Track (side seating) tickets are $15 and children under 10 are free. Doors open at 4pm and bouts start at 5pm unless noted differently above. Portion of the proceeds go to local charities. For more info go online to www.easttexasbombers.com.

Saturday, March 14th - East Texas Garden Lecture Series - March 14th at the lecture come learn about the newest, easy-care rose varieties that require little or no spraying for a colorful impact to your landscape.

Mark Chamblee will discuss new rose varieties coming out of breeding programs that are developing superior plants for the environmentally-conscious gardener. Learn how to correctly prune roses and end with a tour of the nursery. This lecture will be held at Chamblee’s Rose Nursery, 10926 Hwy. 69N, Tyler. Attendance cost is $15. For more info go to www.txmg.org/smith/coming-events or call (903)5902980. April 11th, “The Backyard Buffet” will be presented. Vegetables and fruits do not have to be relegated to a separate area, alone and by themselves. Mary Wilhite will show how to incorporate edible crops into an existing landscape both for beauty and food. This will be held at Blue Moon Nursery, 13062 FM 279, Edom.

Saturday, March 14th - Move to the Beat to Beat Cancer - Almost a year ago we came and put together a Special East Texas Zumba Fitness Party to benefit the victims of the horrible disease we know as cancer. This year we are bringing our Zumba Teams back together for our 2nd annual Move to the Beat to BEAT Cancer event. Please join the Zumba instructors of Texas for 2 hours of zumba. They will have instructors from all over the state teaching this event and as always DJ CP from Inkredible Sounds will be live and in the mix with special guests The Brutez from Los Angeles, CA and Karolina from the Czech Republic. Come out and dance for life, hope, and strength for the people battling against cancer. This will be held at Coach’s & Cowboy’s, 2-4pm. Ticket cost is $20 (dance4cancer.eventbrite.com) and 70% of the proceeds will go to American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Smith County. No childcare will be available. Age 10 and up are welcome. For more info call (903)830-4885.

Sunday, March 15th - Famous Food From Films - A Pop-up Restaurant for one night only will be held downtown in the historical Arcadia Theatre/Martin Walker Law Firm, 121 N Spring Ave., Tyler.

Tuesday, March 17th - St. Patrick’s Kids Fest will be held at Hollytree Country Club starting at 11am. This free event will be good for school age kids. For more info call (903)245-0482. Hollytree Country Club is located at 6700 Hollytree Dr., Tyler.

Saturday, March 21st (Third Saturday of every month) - Come and enjoy Country-Western Dancing to the music of Hoss Huggins and the Ponderosa Band at TASCA’s 3rd Saturday C & W Dance. The event will take place from 7-9:30pm in the large ballroom. Come out and bring a snack to share plus enjoy a fun evening. Admission is $5 per person. For more info call (903)871-3217 or send an e-mail to info@tasca.org. These lessons are held at TASCA Activity Center Ballroom, 10495 CR 2167, Whitehouse, (903)871-3217, www.tasca.org.

Saturday, March 21st - Caldwell Zoo Poison Prevention Safari From 12 noon -4pm, booths throughout Caldwell Zoo will be set up that will alert adults and children to possible poison dangers in the home. This event is held in cooperation with the North Texas Poison Control Center of Dallas. Caldwell Zoo offers numerous extraspecial zooper days throughout the year. Caldwell Zoo is located at 2203 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tyler. For more info go online to caldwellzoo.org.

Thursday, March 26th (6pm) – 2nd Annual Celebration of Hope Dinner presented by New Creation Foundation will be held at Rose Heights Church Community Life Center, 2120 Old Omen Road in Tyler. This is a great opportunity to come and meet men and women whose lives are being changed. With evidence becoming more apparent that Smith County is lacking in residential facilities for young mothers who need help with their life-controlling issues while being able to keep their children with them, our goal is to raise funds to build a facility for these women and children as well as help more men to overcome their addictions and restore hope to all.

Reserve your seating now to ensure availability. This will be a most memorable evening! For information or to make a reservation call (903)842-4162.

Friday-Saturday, March 27th-28th - “Brides against Breast Cancer”- Getting Married? Join us for a unique opportunity to find the gown of your dreams at a remarkable price while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true. When you purchase your special dress at a “Brides Against Breast Cancer” charity wedding gown sale, you not only save hundreds, you will help make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. To ensure that no one has to face cancer alone, “Brides Against Breast Cancer” contributes to programs for cancer patients and their families. The VIP ‘Unveiling of the Gowns’ Reception will be held Friday, March 27th, 6-9:30pm with general admission Charity Wedding Gown Sale taking place Saturday, March 28th, 10am-3pm. This will be held at Magnuson Grand Hotel and Conference Center, 3310 Troup Highway, Tyler.

Thursday-Saturday, March 26th-28th - “East Texas Preservation Weekend” - The City of Tyler’s Historical Preservation Board has teamed with Historic Tyler, Smith County Historical Society, and other local organizations to present three days of events and educational opportunities related to historic preservation. Thursday, March 26th, there will be an opening reception at Gallery Main Street, downtown Tyler, as well as a presentation by Diane E. Williams regarding historic resources surveys of Tyler at Liberty Theater, downtown Tyler. There will also be a presentation by Beverly Abell regarding downtown revitalization and another presentation concerning the economics of historic preservation at Liberty Theater. For tickets or more information call (903)531-1174.

Friday, March 27th the Azalea Trail / Historic Home Tour Guided Tour of Downtown Tyler will take place featuring “Half Mile of History Markers,” in partnership with Smith County Historical Society. There will be a Luncheon & Presentation also by residential architect Norman Askins entitled “Inspired by Tradition” related to Southern Traditional Architecture at Willow Brook Country Club; a presentation by Sunny Howard, Development Coordinator of the Texas Historical Commission, regarding fundraising for preservation at Liberty Theater, downtown Tyler; and a presentation by Guy Giersch, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of McKinney, regarding historic preservation best practices at Liberty Theater, downtown Tyler. There will be a Historic Tyler Candlelight Party Saturday, March 28th, for the Azalea Trail / Historic Home Tour; Spirits of Oakwood, Walking History Cemetery Tour, March 26th; events take place 5:30-8pm. March 27th events will be 9:30am-6pm, and March 28th events take place 9am to 5pm. For tickets or more information call (903)531-1174.

Saturday, March 28th (11am) - “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” will be held at Green Acres Conference Center featuring international recording artist and best-selling author, Tammy Trent. They will be serving a delicious, chef prepared brunch followed by inspirational speaking and musical entertainment by international recording artist and best-selling author Tammy Trent. Groups welcome and encouraged. Sparkling tiaras, little black dresses, pearls and an over-the-top setting await you at the Green Acres Crosswalk Conference Center, 1607 Troup Hwy. in beautiful Tyler, during the 2015 Azalea & Spring Flower Trail. There will also be a Silent Auction benefiting the SPCA of East Texas.

Saturday, March 28th - True Vine Brewery will host its monthly Open Taps. These fun and amazing events, always held on the last Saturday of the month, are a great time to sample the latest creations of the brewery, hear live music, and meet up with friends. Some of the beers on tap include Rose City Pale Ale, Rose From the Dead, and True Culture Coffee Porter. True Vine Brewery is located at 219 Englewood in Tyler, by the Cotton Belt Building. For more info go to www.truevinebrewing.com. True Vine beers are also currently on tap at several Tyler locations such as Stanley’s BBQ, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Wasabi Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro, and Fresh By Brookshire’s, and in Dallas at Craft and Growler.

Saturday, March 28th - “The Tyler Veterans Entrepreneurship Boot Camp: Management, Money and Marketing” will be from 8am-4pm at the TJC West campus. Join if you are a veteran, veterans spouse or family interested in strengthening and starting a small business. Call (903)825-3680 for more information. TJC West campus Skills Lab is located at 1530 SSW Loop 323, Tyler, (903)363-2212. This is free to attend and every Veteran is encouraged to participate.

Wednesday, April 1st (7:30am-4pm) - “The Power of Technology Fair and Expo” – This expo will feature 19 booths featuring technology experts, different businesses plus breakfast and lunch served with many exciting speakers. This will be held at OneRealtorCenter Event Center, 2772 SSE Loop 323, Tyler. For more info call (903)5618403 or go to www.gtar.com.

EGuideMagazine.com • 17

Art

dad gets into a messy, complicated situation, and mom bails him out.

She said the road trip was awful, traveling 90 miles with a hairy beast in her car to get him onto an airplane and send him home. Years later Mom jokingly said that when she arrives in Heaven she wants to thank God for the blessings in her life, but she would be curious to know which specific blessings were in return for the Malamute – the feedInside the Artist’s Studio: ing, cleaning, not killing her husband, and the horrific road trip with a gigantic, car-roaming dog. With a belief and understanding of God’s grace over human acts of kindness, she was still curious as to why she was subjected to such a ridiculous life event. She hoped God would point to something specific in her worldly existence and say, “This is for the Malamute!”

My mom affectionately, diligently, and patiently raised four boys (seven, if you include my dad and my friend Daryl who lived at our house for many years, and Paul who practically lived there, too). She was the indisputable keystone of our family. I have credited many people for influencing my artwork, from famous art movements to inspiring professors and friends, but deep down I still want the thrill of the affectionate approval and acceptance only a mother can provide.

By Derrick White In short, I am still trying to make my mom proud. She was generous with her praise, proudly kept all my press clippings and art show An Alaskan Malamute is a large breed announcements. She saved scrapbook drawings from when I was 2 of dog used for hauling, much like an Alasyears old and instilled in me an “I believe in you” confidence from kan sled dog. They are strong, big, and playwhich I still pull (sometimes desperately) today. I’m not attempting to ful dogs similar to Siberian Huskies. Please fill a void, but rather match a very high model for living life tolerantly, indulge me a few moments of your time. with intensity, strength, appreciation, and tenacity..

Life is so strange and so short. As an art My mother recently passed away after suffering through years of professor I basically try to teach two skills – Alzheimer’s disease, and I am sure she is getting all of her earthly quesappreciation and perseverance. As an artist, tions answered. As for me, I like to believe that all the things I get ‘right’ I spend time making paintings and objects.

- devotion to my wife, volunteering to help others, raising and lovSometimes it goes well and sometimes it ing our kids, when I remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ artistic does not. Everything in your life that is good determination, and a devotion to teaching, are in some way a dedica(art, health, friends, family, etc.) will not last. tion to my mom as an indebtedness specifically for the Malamute and “Value what you have while you have it.” for so much more.

Please stop, go back and read that last senEvery student who just happens to be inspired by something they tence again. Furthermore, the tribulations we learned or understood in my art class, or any viewer gleaning insight all experience in human life (illness, heartmisspelled handmade comic books together and proudly share and about oneself or life from one of my paintings, gets traced directly back aches, layoffs, etc.) will not last. “Persist and don’t ever give up.” You recite them. Her warmth and encouragement still compels me artistito my mom in a hot car with an annoying dog. need to keep chugging along, working towards your goals, and livcally, at a very core level, to this day. Throughout her life I witnessed the Thank you for the Malamute. Thank you for the dauntless example ing each of your days to the best of your ability using that wonderful strongest person I can imagine conquering challenges head on, getting of how to live without resentment or complaint, meeting challenges as human stubbornness of perseverance. knocked down, but never failing to get back up. I learned organization, opportunities and for being the best example of perseverance. I hope My ability to appreciate comes from my dad, a man who instilled a trace of this positive spirit continues exponentially through all of the the great qualities of dreaming, absurdity, fascination, imagination, the diligence, unconditional love, and patience. I learned perseverance.

As a romantic, my dad involved himself in many unique ventures. thousands of people I have known throughout my teaching, my art, beauty of a moment, and creativity. I also learned powerful lessons from He owned a gas station along historic Route 66 in the early 1970’s, and my life as well as the thousands of people they encounter…and so the foibles of my father, and I have tried hard not to repeat some of on, and so on, and so on. located in Shamrock, Texas, and one day a van of traveling hippies the same mistakes. The reason why I am an artist is because children When you find yourself in those chaotic moments of life, where stopped. They were unable to pay for their gas so my dad bartered a instinctively draw, play, and create. This does not have to be taught. I you seem to have an immense dog slobbering on you as you drive deal to trade a tank of gas for them leaving an enormous Malamute have just never stopped in my exploration and fascination of art and down life’s highway, remember to persevere, and hey, at least you have dog as collateral. Dad bringing stray or wounded animals home was processes. not uncommon, but my mother was forced to deal with this large and some company. So never overlook the appreciation in your life. Value I remember as a preschooler, I craved the praise of my mother what you have while you have it …Goodbye Mom. unruly canine wreaking havoc upon her home. by scribbling on sheets of paper in the haphazard chance of making By the way, I would have let that dog out of the car just outside the Weeks later, after the hippies reached their California destination, a cursive letter or recognizable symbol while my brothers were away city limits. But after feeling the convictions of disappointing my mother, they wired Dad the money for the gas and Mom was asked to please at school. Lovingly, she could always find an E in there somewhere.

I also know that I would have gone back to look for it. drive the dog to the Amarillo airport. This was also not uncommon, I beamed. She would always tenderly staple my crudely drawn and

Why I am an Artist, A Personal Thank You: This is for the Malamute

Spring Arts Events in East Texas

The TJC Wise Auditorium Art Gallery presents Two Exhibits This Month

again, for local artists of all ages to show their work.

Around 20 local artists will be featured in this show, plus the art is for sale. The show will be on display from March 3rd to May 3rd. This production by Slaughter House will donate 15% of sales to the Children’s Advo- The Open Invitation Exhibition on Exhibit through cacy Center.

March 6th “We have many artistically talented and creative people at Tyler Junior College, from “Exploding Boundaries” Fiber Art a woodturning policeman to a printmaking mathematician, and on campus you can visit Show the showcase of their efforts,” stated Gallery Main Street in downtown Tyler will open Derrick White, Art Professor. its doors for a fiber arts exhibit on the 14th of March.

This exhibition is on view through

By Cassie Bartley This exhibit is done in cooperation with The Eastside Fiber Artists organization and is sure to feature beauti- March 6th in the TJC Wise Auditorium Art Gallery. Stop by and see some Early spring is bringful pieces within the theme, “Exploding Boundaries.” amazing artwork by the talented facing out the creative nature There will be an opening reception for the exhibit on of East Texas artists and the night of the 14th, doors open at 5:30pm. The open- ulty and staff family. A variety of processes and subjects are on display from organizations. From exhibits ing reception will also mark the announcement of the opening at galleries to artisan markets to bike races, everyone first People’s Choice Award Winner from the previous exhibit, cross-stitching to printmaking.

Artists include Cliff Boucher (Biolwants artists involved with their events, which is so encourag- “Remixed,” which will remain on display until March 9th. ogy/acrylic, bone, snakeskin and wood ing to local artisans. Having a community that is supportive of turned pens), Julie Clark (Records/ the arts is key to encouraging the growth and evolution of our An Promising Art Show in cultural environment. There are so many events going on dur- Conjunction with Beauty & The Beast Cross-stitch), Darcelle Cowles (IT/ The Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour is coming, but what Mosaic), Sherry Gasper (watercolor), ing this season and many of them are free to attend. Here are a does that have to do with art? Kiepersol Estates will open the Mike Gray (Campus Police/Wood-turning), Candice Green (Human Resources/Ceramfew that might be worth checking out. grounds between the distillery and the tasting room for local ics), Aukse Harris (Residential Life /Jewelry), Jae Jerkins (Philosophy/Painting), Jim Size“Going Green” artisans to share their wares with the cyclists and guests of the more (Engineering/Digital photography), Ed Macpherson (Mathematics/Monotypes), In Athens, 211 Gallery had a great turnout for the openevent. Upscale and renowned local artists will be featured at T.J. McLemore and Chris Stewart (Honors and Art/collaboration poems/prints created in ing night of their “Going Green” exhibit on February 7th. this early spring event being held March 21st.

Florence, Italy).

There was standing room only at this event. The exhibit boasts Tyler NOVA will be sharing more information about this around 70 pieces of art from 34 artists from all over East Texas. event as details become available. Visit tylernova.org for more “Transitory Moment” by Chelsea Baranski Christi Barrett, an artist from 211 Gallery said, “‘Going Green’ information.

On Exhibit March 16th-27th seemed to inspire even the most mundane or traditional artist The TJC Wise Auditorium Art Gallery is exhibiting artwork by University of Texas Rose City Artisans to think outside the box. It has been a wave of creativity that I at Tyler graduate student Chelsea Baranski. Her stunning drawings are mesmerizing in & Flower Market haven’t experienced with any other show at the gallery.” If you This year, Art in the Park form and methodical in execution. have not had a chance to see this exhibit, head over to Athens “I am interested in the reaction between lines and form in my work. Both are used will be part of the Rose City to check out the gallery. The exhibit will be on display until to further a representation of a transition. Just as the lifespan of an individual is a tranArtisans & Flower Market April 25th. sient existence, an ebb and flow towards the inevitable, lines symbolize the fleeting pasat the Goodman Museum, sage of time within the extensiveness of a life. I am interested in capturing a snapshot“The Bike downtown Tyler. An array of like quality, one that cannot be repeated in the same manner again,” she states.

Show” vendors will set up booths The works are on view on the campus of Tyler Junior College through March 27th A new exhibit, for visitors to purchase fine “The Bike Show,” art, handmade jewelry, home and offer a meditative state and life contemplation with their viewing. Come by and see for yourself the translucent and magical result of thousands of lines communicating the will soon be openbaked and specialty food ing at Cork Food items, local wine, plants, herbs, produce, and much more. In human connection.

Chelsea says, “Just as each piece captures the temporary, lines represent experiences and Drink, hosted addition to the vendors, there will also be live music and artisthat occur over a lifetime. It is through line and form that my work pursues a transitory

by Slaughter House tic demonstrations. This market will be another great way to moment, essentially reflecting impermanent aspects within nature.”

Productions. start spring. This will be held Friday, March 27th, and SaturSpring has The Wise Auditorium Art Gallery is located in Wise Auditorium Fine Arts Buildday, March 28th from 10am-4pm both days. sprung, and what Be sure and keep your eyes peeled for other upcoming art ing near South Mahon across from the Tyler Museum of Art on the Tyler Junior College says spring better than a bike ride? Bicycle themed art, of events. Rumor has it that another upscale artistic event will be campus, 1400 East Fifth St., Tyler. Gallery hours Monday – Friday 9am-7pm. This is happening at Villa Montez in early April! course! Cork Food and Drink will open their doors, once free and open to the public. For more info call (903)510-2233.

18 • EGuideMagazine.com

TMA Opens Lid On

Hartley’s “Tin Toys & Raw Realities” on Exhibition March 1st-June 28th The nostalgia of childhood playthings – from cowboys and plastic army men to Batman & Robin – meets the contemporary style of Fort Worth artist John Hartley in the Tyler Museum of Art’s current major exhibition, “Tin Toys & Raw Realities.”

Organized by the TMA, this solo exhibition of Hartley’s work opens to the public Sunday, March 1st and continues through June 28th at the Museum, 1300 S. Mahon Ave. on the Tyler Junior College main campus. Admission is free.

Hartley, an Ohio native who relocated to Fort Worth to study art at Texas Christian University in 1982, serves as an associate professor of art at Tarrant County College Northwest Campus as well as director of Gallery 414 in Fort Worth. His work, noted for its lifelike quality and dynamic subject matter, is featured in numerous private and public collections including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Grouped together with objects from the artist’s private collection, TMA’s “Tin Toys & Raw Realities” features more than 20 paintings, some of which were recently finished and have never been seen by the public, that spotlights toys from the past and the duality of Hartley’s unique approach.

“The title, ‘Tin Toys & Raw Realities,’ references the multiple ideas present throughout Hartley’s work,” exhibition organizer Caleb Bell said. “At first glance, each painting just appears to be a lifelike rendering of a toy or object. With a little more exploration, the viewer quickly realizes that more is being conveyed.”

Collectors’ Circle-Gold Sponsors for “Tin Toys & Raw Realities” are the McElfatrick Charitable Foundation, and Betty and Dick Summers.

In connection with the week-long TJC Festival of the Arts April 10th-17th, Hartley will present a lecture program titled “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” at 2pm Thursday, April 16th in TJC’s Jean Browne Theatre.

Other special events include First Friday Art Tours at 11am, March 6th and April 3rd at the Museum; and Family Days from 2-4pm Saturday, March 14th and April 11th, also at the TMA. All special events are open to the public and admission is free.

The Tyler Museum of Art hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-5pm Sunday; the Museum is closed Mondays and most major holidays. The TMA is supported by its Members, Tyler Junior College and the City of Tyler.

For more information, call (903)595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.

Events

Ongoing through March 9th - “Remixed” on Exhibit - Gallery Main Street’s first exhibit of 2015 opened Saturday, January 10th and continues till March 9th. Titled “Remixed,” it is a 47-piece collection of original art by 17 area artists at the gallery, 110 W. Erwin St., downtown Tyler. The idea of “Remixed” was to invite artists to re-imagine their own or classic works of art into a new piece. The results are amazing. Also, you can vote online for the Audience’s Choice by going to www.facebook.com/ heart.tyler. For more info visit online at www.DowntownTylerArts.com.

Through March 15th - “11th Annual High School Art Exhibition” - Since its debut in 2005, the Tyler Museum of Art’s High School Art Exhibition has provided close to 700 promising young local artists a unique opportunity to show their work in a museum exhibit, a substantial percentage of whom have chosen to pursue art and art history in college. The TMA celebrates this enduring community-focused program with the “11th Annual High School Art Exhibition,” opened Sunday, February 15th and continues through March 15th at the Museum, 1300 S. Mahon Ave. on the Tyler Junior College main campus. Admission is free. This year’s juried competition is the largest in the event’s history, showcasing the work of 52 students from eight high-school campuses in Tyler and nearby cities.

Five outstanding works selected by the jurors were presented with “Merit of Honor” awards during the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 15th at the Museum. Participants in the “11th Annual High School Art Exhibition” include students from All Saints Episcopal School, Bishop T.K. Gorman Regional Catholic School, Brownsboro High School, Grace Community School, John Tyler High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Tatum High School, and Whitehouse High School.

Tyler Museum of Art is on the Tyler Jr. College campus, located at 1300 S. Mahon, Tyler. For more info call (903)595-1001 or go to www.TylerMuseum. org. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, closed Mondays.

Monday, March 16th – Seniors Day at Tyler Museum of Art - The third Monday of each month, the Tyler Museum of Art opens its doors to seniors age 65 and older for a day of free admission and guided tours of its current exhibitions. Admission is free, and group tours are welcome. Tyler Museum of Art is on the Tyler Jr. College campus, located at 1300 S. Mahon, Tyler. For more info call (903)5951001 or go to www.TylerMuseum.org. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, closed Mondays.

Thursday-Saturday, March 26th-28th (9am-5pm) - Penny Nichols-Sanders School of Art Annual Spring Art Show features professional and advanced student art with various sizes of paintings for sale and available for view, including watercolor, oil, pastels, and miniatures. Admission is free. This will be on exhibit at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 230 West Rusk St., Tyler. For more info call (903)592-8519.

Through March 28th – “A Century Of Progress” Exhibit will be presented at the Carnegie Library Building Smith County Historical Society. This exciting exhibit traces the history of Smith County in the Twentieth Century and continues through March 31st. The exhibit features “The Progressive Era” through the display of artifacts and text panels. The museum is open to the public, Tuesday thru Friday from 10am-4pm and on Saturdays 12 noon-4pm.

Admission is free. The Carnegie Library Building is located at 225 S. College, downtown Tyler. Call (903)592-5993 for more info.

March 29th-July 5th - “Tough by Nature: Portraits of Cowgirls and Ranch Women of the American West” Art Exhibit - This is an exciting exhibit of portraits of the fearless women who have helped mold the American West frontier. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors (65+), and free for Tyler Museum of Art members, students, and children (12 & under). Tyler Museum of Art is on the Tyler Jr. College campus, located at 1300 S. Mahon, Tyler. For more info call (903)595-1001 or go to www.TylerMuseum.org. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, closed Mondays.

An Exciting and Unique Shopping Experience

Featuring artists from all around the world.

Art Market, Fine Dining, Barista Coffee, Live Music, Workshops, & Special Events!

The Gallery Cafe offers gourmet coffee, fresh baked sweets and lunch specials See our website for daily specials.

Hwy 279 in Edom, Texas − 903.852.5552 www.EdomGallery.com The BCAC is now enrolling for art instruction (ages 4 and up).

Classes will start March 2015 Beginners: The focus will be on basic drawing skills and will be reinforced with Art Discovery (painting, “high crafts,” collage, pastel, assemblage, etc.).

Advanced: Professional artists will instruct students in their chosen medium.

Also offering: Themed Arty Parties, Mommy & Me, Art Camps, special events and Friday Parent's Night Out / "Kid's Creative Happy Hour" (7-9).

Adults: Studio time, workshops, beginning/advanced art instruction, critiques and ChARTonnay Classes.

Group / Solo exhibition opportunities and competitions will be scheduled to BENefit the BCAC Scholarship fund.

The BCAC......where you have Ben Creative!

If you would like to take/ teach a course, or for more details, please contact Don: (903)952.6291 or Kelli: (817)721.7778.

EGuideMagazine.com • 19

Theatre March 2nd-3rd (7pm) –Auditions for “The Elephant Man” will be held at Tyler Civic Theatre. Tyler Civic Theatre is located 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or www.tylercivictheatre.com.

March 4th-6th (7:30pm) -TJC One-Act Play Festival will be on stage at Jean Brown Theatre. Tyler Jr. College Jean Browne Theatre is located on the TJC campus. The Theatre TJC box office opens one week prior to performances. Box office hours are 10am-6pm weekdays only throughout the run of performances. For more info call (903)5102212. For production info go to www.tjc.edu.

March 13th-15th and March 19th22nd –“Second Samuel” will be on stage at the Tyler Civic Theatre with ThursdaySaturday performances at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm. It was a simpler time in the late 1940’s, especially in South Georgia and specifically in a sleepy little town called Second Samuel. What had been called the Great Depression was quickly fading into memory.

The war had been won, the election was now over, and “Give ‘em Hell Harry” was still president. It had been an exciting time for sure, but the folks in Second Samuel were ready for things to settle down and get back to normal. Except—this was the summer Miss Gertrude passed away, and deep dark secrets were about to be revealed.

Nobody could have imagined how the death of one sweet little old lady would turn the entire town upside down, leaving everybody in Second Samuel wondering if anything would ever be normal again.

Tyler Civic Theatre is located 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or www. tylercivictheatre.com. The Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 10am 1pm and 2pm - 5pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

Thursday, March 19th (7:30pm) – “The Capitol Steps” will be on stage at the Cowan Center. It’s time to put our political differences aside and enjoy the musings of “The Capitol Steps” - the only group in America that attempts to be funnier than Congress.

No elected official, including the current resident of the White House, or those who may aspire to it, is off limits.

These former congressional and senate staffers satirize today’s political headlines, and political headline makers, with humorous song and dance. Always fresh and crisp – no two performances by The Capitol Steps are alike.

If you miss this one, you’ll be left out of the conversation for years.

People laugh and rave about this one. Sponsored by Four Season Women’s Health. Tickets go on sale February 16th. Cowan Center is located at 3900 University Blvd. on the UT Tyler campus. Tickets are available at the Box Office, or by calling (903)566-7424 or online at www.uttyler.edu/cowan. Tickets start at $32.

March 23rd-24th (7pm) –Auditions for “100 Lunches” will be held at Tyler Civic Theatre. Tyler Civic Theatre is located 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or www.tylercivictheatre.com.

Saturday, March 28th – Melody Makers will join the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Beloved orchestral melodies take center stage for this program that will include Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” and the “Overture to Die Fledermaus” by J. Strauss. The concert also includes the next in their Beethoven cycle, his “Symphony No. 8” and music of Mozart performed by 2013 Juanita Miller competition winner, violinist Christine Wu. All East Texas Symphony Orchestra performances will be held at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. Tickets go on sale September 29th. Tickets available at the box office, located at 3900 University Blvd., (903)566-7424 or online at www.uttyler.edu/ cowan. Tickets start at $10.

Tuesday, March 31st (7:30pm) – Rod Canion will be the featured speaker at the University of Texas at Tyler University Center Theatre. Rod Canion is a co-founder and was CEO of Compaq Computer Corporation.

Under Canion’s leadership, Compaq revolutionized the PC industry and rose to become the largest PC supplier in the world during the 1990’s. Since his tenure 20 • EGuideMagazine.com

at Compaq, Canion has endeavored further into the world of startups as an entrepreneur and investor, and has recently published his new book, “Open: How Compaq Ended IBM’s PC Domination and Helped Invent Modern Computing.” Book sales and signing will follow lecture with a complimentary reception at the University Center Theatre.

Tickets go on sale March 2nd. Cowan Center is located at 3900 University Blvd. on the UT Tyler campus. Tickets are available at the Box Office, or by calling (903)566-7424 or online at www.uttyler.edu/ cowan. All tickets are free.

Saturday, April 11th (7:30pm) – “Freedom Rings a Celebration of America” will be presented by the Longview Symphony. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am5pm. Tickets start at $30.

April 14th-19th –“The Elephant Man” will be on stage at the Tyler Civic Theatre with Tuesday-Wednesday performances in the mornings, Thursday-Saturday performances at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm. “The Elephant Man” is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, who has been a freak attraction in traveling sideshows, is found abandoned and helpless and is admitted for observation to Whitechapel, a prestigious London hospital. Under the care of a famous young doctor, who educates him and introduces him to London society, Merrick changes from a sensational object of pity to the urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati.

But his belief that he can become a man like any other is a dream never to be realized. Tyler Civic Theatre is located 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or www.tylercivictheatre.com. The Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

April 15th – 18th –“Children of Eden” will be on stage at the Pollard Theater Center. “Children of Eden” by Stephen Schwartz and book by John Caird, through wonderful music retells Old Testament stories of members of a big family, making mistakes, forgiving and beginning again, including Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the story of Noah and the Flood. Pollard Theatre Center is located in Founders’ Center on Pollard’s campus. Seating is limited. The Founders’ Center is located at 3030 New Copeland Rd., Tyler. For more info or tickets go to www.pollardumc.com or call (903)597-2571. Tickets start at $10 Friday, April 17th (7:30pm) – Penn & Teller will be on stage at the Cowan Center. These longtime Las Vegas legends are ready to light up Tyler. For 40 years Penn & Teller, the most popular and admired magicians on “The Strip,” have defied labels—and at times physics and good taste — by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy.

Experience the hilarious twosome who’ve enjoyed sold out runs on Broadway, world tours, Emmywinning TV specials and hundreds of outrageous appearances on everything from “Letterman” to “Fallon,” “Friends” to “The Simpsons,” “Chelsea Lately” to “Top Chef.” Their glowing status as cultural icons and the preeminent duo in comedy earned Penn & Teller their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year. Sponsored by Scott & Robyn Lieberman and Southside Bank. Tickets go on sale March 23rd. Cowan Center is located at 3900 University Blvd. on the UT Tyler campus. Tickets are available at the Box Office, or by calling (903)566-7424 or online at uttyler.edu/ cowan. Tickets start at $42.

April 17th-19th and April 24th-25th – “Fools” will be in production at the Cherokee Civic Theatre. In the fanciful & farcical “Fools,” an eager young teacher arrives in town for his first teaching job, only to realize that everyone there has been cursed with “chronic stupidity.”

He has been hired to break the curse but he has only 24 hours to do it or he’ll be cursed as well. His extra incentive is that he’s fallen for the Mayor’s daughter – a girl so stupid her first lesson is ‘how to sit.’

Can he break the curse? Can he teach her to sit? Or will he & she live stupidly ever after? Only “Fools” will tell. Cherokee Civic Theatre is located at 157 West 5th St., in Rusk. For tickets or more info call (903)683–2131 or log on to www.cherokeetheatre.net. All tickets are reserved seats with member prices of $9 adults, $6 students and general prices of $12 adults and $10 students. All at the door tickets are $15.

Saturday, April 18th (2pm and 4pm) –“Fancy Nancy: The Musical” will be on stage at the Belcher Center. Individual tickets go on sale

January 26th. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)2333080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

April 22nd- 26th –“Leading Ladies” by Ken Ludwig will be on stage at Jean Browne Theatre. Tyler Jr. College Jean Browne Theatre is located on the TJC campus. The Theatre TJC box office opens one week prior to performances. Box office hours are 10am-6pm weekdays only throughout the run of performances. For more info call (903)510-2212. For production info go to www.tjc.edu.

Friday, April 24th (7:30pm) –“Steve Lippia: Centennial Sinatra - A Tribute” will be in concert at the Belcher Center. Frank Sinatra would have been 100 years old in December of 2015. Reminiscent of the young Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Harry Connick, Jr., Steve Lippia moves from crisp, popping swing tunes to lush, poignant ballads with ease. With his natural sound and style, the great composers of the time, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Rogers and Hart: all are honored flawlessly.

With great stage presence, charm and ease, a hot, driving band, and a brilliant multi-media tribute to Old Blue Eyes, Steve Lippia pulls his audience back in time to a comfort zone where he delivers his music in a deeply personal way and includes standards permanently engraved in the American History of Music: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Mack the Knife,” “Just the Way You Are” and “That’s Life.” Sponsored by Texas Bank & Trust. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am5pm. Tickets start at $45.

Saturday, April 25th – “Sublime Finale,” the season concludes with a concert conductor Richard Lee is particularly excited about as the Orchestra presents a transcendental evening of music, including Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4” with soprano Shannon Mercer. All East Texas Symphony Orchestra performances will be held at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. Tickets go on sale September 29th. Tickets available at the box office, located at 3900 University Blvd., (903)566-7424 or online at www.uttyler.edu/cowan. Tickets start at $10.

Tuesday, April 28th (7:30pm) –William Florian in “Those Were the Days” will be on stage at Caldwell Auditorium.

“A perfect combination of musician and storyteller.” – Cultural Art Center of Cape Cod. The former lead singer of “The New Christy Minstrels,” will perform folk songs of the 60’s, music of John Denver, as well as sharing humorous stories with audience interplay.

His familiar repertoire and laid-back style continue to inspire his vast fan base.

“TylerLive!” (presented by Tyler Community Concert Association) is an exciting series of concerts geared towards the music enthusiast. To purchase tickets visit www.tcca.biz, call (903)592-6266 or purchase at the door. All concerts are held at Caldwell Auditorium.

Wednesday, April 29th (12:30pm) – “Mathemagic!” will be on stage at the Cowan Center. Internationally renowned mathemagician, Bradley Fields, captivates audiences with his mind-boggling illusions, and teaches the surprising secrets behind some astonishing magic. Hailed as one of the preeminent shows for young people, “Mathemagic!” features world-class magic combined with comedy theatrics. Amidst the oohs, aahs, and laughter, Bradley Fields challenges, provokes, and elicits critical thinking. Kids (unknowingly!) practice classroom and problemsolving skills. Cowan Center is located at 3900 University Blvd. on the UT Tyler campus. Tickets are available at the Box Office, or by calling (903)566-7424 or online at www.uttyler.edu/cowan. All tickets are $4.

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Fitness

Saturday, March 7th – FRESH 15- We are working to make this year’s event more exciting than last year with lots of fun events such as a Friday Night Dinner (March 6th) that will be hosted at KE Bushman’s Center with guest speaker Scott Jurek. Scott is an renowned ultra-runner and author of “Eat & Run.” Race day will be full of excitement, just like last year. FRESH is bringing in several elite runners and will be paying out a $22,000 prize purse to the overall 10 male/female athletes.

FRESH will also be awarding money to the top runners who are from Tyler. All athletes will receive a high-quality tech t-shirt, reusable bag filled with groceries and a finisher’s medal. This year, 100% of runner proceeds will go to four charities – Bethesda Health Clinic, Team Red, White & Blue, FitSTEPS for Life, and The SEAL Legacy Foundation. For more information, and to register, visit online at www.

FRESH15k.com. This is part of the “Tyler Triple Threat.”

Friday-Sunday, March 20th-22nd - Heaton Hope Open Tennis Tournament is a fundraising event for Living Alternatives Ministry and is held yearly at Tyler Tennis & Swim, Tyler. Anyone can participate with advance registrations in singles or double categories. There is a $45 registration fee for players. It is free to watch. The Hope Open is the annual tennis charity event raising money and awareness for Living Alternatives. The Tyler community has embraced this event for the last 19 years and there has been consistent growth and exposure for the ministry. We kick off the event with a Friday night party consisting of an opening ceremony, delicious food from vendors all over Tyler, and a carnival atmosphere for the youngest fan. Tennis buffs of all ages can find an event to register in and we also give consolation prizes. Players boast the the Heaton Hope Open is one of their favorites and their reasons make sense: gorgeous courts, friendly people, great goody bags, amazing food, and above all the feeling they get knowing they are supporting a great ministry. For more info go to livingalternatives.org/events/tennis-tournament.

Saturday, March 21st The Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour/Race consists of 12.5, 24, 34, 46, 53 or 67 mile routes through beautiful areas of Tyler, while also encompassing a “beast” hill near the finish line. This will begin at Kiepersol Estates/ KE Bushman’s Winery and Celebration Center, 1563 FM 2493 E in Bullard. To register go to www.tbcbnb.com. All of the routes are as scenic and challenging as ever! Can you say “Hills?” Can you say “Steeper?” East Texas is made of beautiful rolling hills, hills and more hills, so the course is going to be beautiful no matter which length you decide to participate in. Entry fee is $35 before March 16th (postmarked) or 12 midnight March 19th (online), and $40 after and event day.

Of course, you get a free t-shirt and the bragging rights for finishing.

Come to Tyler, the Rose Capital of East Texas, see all of the Beauty, and claw your way to the top of the Beast - 3/4 of a mile long and a 13% grade. Registration is $35. This is part of the “Tyler Triple Threat.”

Saturday, March 21st - On a Mission 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run will take place at the First United Methodist Church, 507 Broad St., Chandler. To register at endurancecui.active.com. This will be fun for all ages.

Saturday-Sunday, March 28th-29th - Azalea Trail Junior Golf Classic will be held at Hollytree Country Club, Tyler. Spectator carts can be purchased for $30 (cash only). The carts will be staged in the “circle drive” nearest the tennis courts. Founded in 1983, the nationally acclaimed Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(c)

(3) tax-exempt organization, is committed to introducing, promoting, and growing the game of golf to a diverse group of kids in North Texas and instilling in them the positive, character-developing traits for which the game is so well known. To participate or attend go to ntpgajuniorgolf.com.

Saturday, March 28th - The Tyler Azalea 10K has been staged on one of the most beautiful courses in Texas. You will see mile after mile of azaleas, dogwood trees and spring flowers that you have to see to believe. The breathtaking beauty of the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail has been praised by visitors as a floral wonderland and a photographer’s paradise. This year they have replaced their 2-mile walk run with a 5K run/walk. The children’s 50 Yard Dash remains free for the kiddos five and under. This year everyone (both 5K and 10K entrants) gets a tech shirt with their entry. Late registration starts at 6:30am with the 50 Yard Dash starting at 7:45am. The 10K starts at 8am and the 5K starts at 8:10am. For more info or to register call (817)706-0368 or log on to tylerazalea10k.com.

Saturday, March 28th - Hope Haven of East Texas Presents the First Annual 5K Run For HER Future at the Picker’s Pavilion in Lindale. The race starts at 9am with a 1K for under 12 years old starting at 10am.

There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am for kids under 12. At 11:30 am there will be a Dedication of Lindale’s own restored 1945 Seagrave Fire Truck, and at 12:30pm is a free hamburgers and hot dog lunch provided by the Lindale Fire Dept. To register go to hhofet.org or contact Leslie Cain Realty, 403 W Hubbard St., Lindale, (903)881-6175. Registration for the 5K includes a t-shirt.

Saturday, April 11th - Tyler Run For Autism - The Tyler Run for Autism began in 2012 with the purpose of raising funds to provide much needed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children on the Autism spectrum in Tyler’s very own Treatment and Learning Center for Children with Autism. 100% of the funds raised will go towards the payment of therapy. The half marathon starts at 7:30am followed by the 5K starting at 8am with the one mile starting at 8:30am at Pollard UMC, 3030 New Copeland Rd., Tyler. For more information log on to www.tylerrunforautism.org.

Friday-Saturday, April 10th-11th - Relay For Life of Smith County- Relay For Life is a community based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Today, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place across twenty countries. Events are held in local communities, high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and campus universities. As the American Cancer Society’s most successful fundraiser and the organization’s signature event, the mission of Relay For Life is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer survivors and their caregivers. This will take place at Tyler Downtown Square, 6pm - 12 midnight. For more info go to www.relayforlife.org/ smithcotx.

Saturday, April 11th - Texas Wine Series Half Marathon and 5K - Registered runners receive a commemorative custom tech shirt; registered race finishers receive a custom finisher’s medallion.

The Wine & Food event includes a commemorative wine glass, wine flight, and delicious catered food and tasty treats. Non-running guests are welcome to attend and can be registered online for a $45 fee which includes food, wine, and a commemorative wine glass.

The race starts at 8am. This race is part of a series of races in Texas including Messina Hof Winery & Resort Half Marathon and Vintage 5K, Sunday, March 29th; Kiepersol Estates Vineyards & Winery Half

Marathon and Vintage 5K, Saturday, April 11th; Flat Creek Estate Half Marathon and Vintage 5K, Sunday, April 26th; Becker Vineyards Grape Stomp 10K and Vintage 5K, Sunday, September 13th; and the Llano Estacado Winery Half Marathon and Vintage 5K in October. For more info or to register go to www.texaswineseries.com/ TWSRacers or call (903)952-2300.

Saturday, April 18th – “Light Up the Darkness” - Tyler- A World for Children is sponsoring their 3rd annual 5K Fun Run “Light Up the Darkness” on Rose Rudman Trail April 18th. The Fun Run is a fundraiser for the private, non-profit Child Placing Agency who provides services to foster parents and children in the state of Texas and specifically in our area. The proceeds from this race will benefit foster children living in and around Tyler, Texas only and will help fund programs such as Back to School, after-care for young adults, preparation for independent living classes and summer camps (LAUNCH), as well as other opportunities to benefit the therapeutic care of abused and neglected children from our area. This year the race will be a Glow Run beginning at 7:30pm with registration starting at 6:30pm and bag pick up for those who pre-registered and a Runners Expo starting at 5:30pm. Registration is available at www.runfordreams5k. org. Dogs are welcome! The address for race “start” and “finish” is Rose Rudman Trial, Shiloh Park, 450 Shiloh Road, Tyler. For more information call (903)581-1553.

Saturday, April 18th - Edom Fire 5K will be held to raise money for the Edom Fire Department. This will be a fun course with a walking, 6K and advance run. Edom is a gorgeous and vibrant community nestled in the East Texas Piney Woods. In April, the wildflowers are blooming and the weather is perfect! All runners and walkers of any speed or ability are welcome to attend. After the event, stay for the April in Edom festival. Art, food, and fun! Race time is 8am. Parking is free and right next to the starting line at Edom city limits. For more info go to www.facebook. com/EdomFire5K. Saturday, April 25th - Whitehouse YMCA 5K Glow Run will be held starting at 9pm. The race costs $20 for adults, $15 for youth and the day of the race adults are $25 and youths are $20. The Whitehouse YMCA is located at 301 Terry St., Whitehouse. To register go to their Facebook page and download the registration form. As part of this fun race, the YMCA will have a Healthy Kids Day, 10am-12 noon.

This event is a fund- raiser for this great cause.

Saturday, May 2nd - Color Up 5K - Start in pristine white at Tyler’s Rose Garden and end up looking like a bouquet of roses at the finish line. This is a 3.1 miles of color bombs, painters, and the biggest postrace color party in East Texas! Register at www.colorup5k.com/tyler.

Sunday, May 3rd - Tri Tyler Half Iron (“TTHI”) and the Olympic (“O”) & Sprint Triathlon (“ST”) - The “TTHI” race will consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 62 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. The “O” will be a 1500 meter swim, 24 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run. The “ST” will be a 650 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. You can participate in whatever level that you would like. This year the course location is new, on the west side of Lake Tyler. All participants will receive a tech t-shirt. All finishers will receive a finisher medal.

Finishers of the Half will receive a finisher t-shirt and medal. Post race food and adult beverages will be available for all. To register or view the courses, go to tritylerhalf.com. This is part of the “Tyler Triple Threat.”

Saturday, May 9th – Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure Tyler With a new race location this year, the race will be better than it’s ever been before. It will start in downtown Tyler and continue south down Broadway Ave. Registration is at 6:30am followed by the annual Survivors Photo at 7am. The Survivor Breakfast starts at 7:15am. The Kids Dash begins at 7:30am with the one mile fun run starting at 8am. The annual group aerobic warm up will be at 8:45am followed by the 5K run at 9am. The awards celebration will be at 9:45am. For more info log on to www.komentyler.org.

EGuideMagazine.com • 21

Family

March Spring Fling at the Tyler Library

D-Bat Tyler:

Pitching, Hitting, Fielding, and Catching, Oh My!

By Kelly Griffith-Fields D-Bat is Tyler’s state-of-the-art baseball and softball training facility, with a vision to provide a quality teaching environment and professional instruction in order to enhance the baseball and softball experience for players at all levels, from little league through the pros. “If you’re into baseball or softball, there is not a better place around,” said Dustin Dossett, former pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, now manager of D-Bat Tyler.

The facility itself is all indoors, well-lit, and climate controlled.

Three batting cages utilize pitching machines that accommodate baseball as well as slow and fast pitch softball. Five additional batting cages are available for ‘live arm’ or to hit from a tee. There is also a large area of open space which is turf covered and great for team use.

In addition to cage rentals for individual use or team practice, another service D-Bat offers ballplayers are lessons with well qualified instructors. “Parents often find that their kids listen better to professional instruction,” Dossett said. “Or the player’s skill level may have surpassed what their parents are able to teach them, which brings them here.”

Lessons cover a variety of aspects of the game including pitching, hitting, fielding, and catching. Each instructor has knowledge and love for the sport as well as college or professional experience.

At D-Bat, parents are also encouraged to be a part of their son or daughter’s skill development. While the focus is on the ballplayer, parents are asked to watch and be involved during the lesson. This enables parents to continue better ball practice at home and hone the athlete’s skills outside of their facility time.

Camps and clinics held at D-Bat throughout the year also provide an opportunity for ballplayers to improve. Spring break and summer camps are a constructive way to keep young athletes occupied while school is out. Their upcoming Spring Break All Aspects Camp will be held March 9th-13th from 9am to 2pm, and encompasses all aspects of the sport such as batting, fielding, pitching and more. Pricing varies by the number of days players would like to attend and member discounts do apply. Registration is easy on D’Bat’s website. During camp, Ballplayers will need to bring a sack lunch for each day they attend.

D’Bat is one of the fastest-growing baseball academies in the country, with students from high school, college, and even professional teams. But their state-of-the-art equipment and programs benefit all players, and skill is not a requirement. “All ages and skill levels are welcome,” Dossett says. “Visit D-Bat whether you are working to better your game or just wanting to enjoy some family fun.”

D-Bat also rents their facility to host birthday parties. Celebrations include two hours in the party room, and an instructor will oversee games in the team area. “The large turf covered space allows kids to run and play without their parents having to worry about changing weather since the whole facility is indoors,” Dossett explained. Fifty free tokens for pitching machines are included and the birthday boy or girl is given a gift bag valued at $50.

Rounding out the amenities at D-Bat is the on-campus pro shop, which has everything a ballplayer needs. They carry many popular brands such as Rawlings, Easton, and Franklin, among others. Instructors are also qualified to size athletes for a glove or bat to suit their individual needs.

D-Bat is located at 4715 Candy Lane in Tyler. Monthly memberships are available and include discounts on lessons, camps, clinics, and merchandise. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 1-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 1-6pm.

For more info or to register for clinics, visit www.dbattyler.com.

Celebrate Women in Science at the Tyler Library

Do you know a young lady with an inquisitive mind and a passion for problem solving? If you do, bring her to the Tyler Public Library on March 6th at 4pm to listen to Kris Fischer, a researcher and lecturer in Science and Engineering Education with a specialization in STEM equity. She served on the National STEM Task Force for AAUW and on the board of the Texas Girls Collaborative Project.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in oceanography, a master’s degree in education, and is currently finishing her doctoral work in higher education.

March is National Women’s History Month making it the perfect time to introduce young women to the wonderful world of science.

Ms. Fischer will present “Women in Science,” a fun and fascinating discussion regarding women who have made great strides in the scientific community through the years, as well as covering potential career options for women in the field.

“Historically, girls have been told that they’re not good at math and science. Imagine what can be accomplished when they are encouraged to follow their dreams,” said Access Librarian Lori Fregoso.

This free event will be held in the Taylor Auditorium of the Tyler Public Library. It is perfect for middle school to high school age girls.

For more information on this and other exciting programs, please call (903)593-7323 or visit us on the web at www.TylerLibrary.com.

22 • EGuideMagazine.com

This month promises a new spring in your step for kids of all ages.

Events include:

Children:

All storytime programs will be on the first floor, to the right of our information desk.

• Leeme un Cuento / Read to Me (children 3-6) is on Mondays at 10:30am.

• Toddler Time (children under age 3) is on Wednesdays at 10:30am.

• Read Aloud Crowd (children older than 3) is on Thursdays at 10:30am.

• Starry Time Story Time (family program) is on Thursdays at 6pm.

• Family Saturday Stories is on the 1st Saturday of each month at 10:30am.

• Read Aloud Club (children under age 3) is on Thursday at 10:30am.

• Child Care Story Share is on Tuesdays at 10:30am; registration is required for this program.

• LEGO® Block Party will be held the 1st Saturday of each month (from November to May), 1:30-3:30pm. Donations of LEGO blocks and sets are always welcome. This is a very creative outlet for the children.

Get a Head Start on Spring Cleaning • Saturday Morning Movies will be shown at the Tyler Library. Each With spring just around the corner, Glass Recreation Center’s month the Library will feature a free movie starting at 10:30am, Annual Rummage Sale is a great opportunity for everyone to get a head geared towards the young at heart. Pillows, blankets and “carpet start on spring cleaning. friendly” snacks are welcome.

For bargain hunters searching for great deals, there will be plenty • American Girl Club will take place the first Saturday of the month, to choose from during this annual event. Doors open at 7am on the day 10:30am - 12 noon. The American Girl for March is Kaya. American of the sale; no early bird shoppers are allowed.

Girl will not meet in April because the Library will be closed for the “This event grows more popular each year it is offered,” said Ann Easter holidays.

Santana, Glass Recreation Center supervisor. “Find clothes for the kids, • Saturday, March 21st - “Drive-In at the Library” starting at 10am great decorative items, furniture, books, plants and many other items at Kids will have the opportunity to create their own cardboard car and a fraction of the cost.” watch a major, feature length animated movie about cars from inside The Glass Recreation Center’s annual rummage sale on Saturday, their new vehicle while enjoying car-side snacks. The building sesMarch 7th is from 7am-1pm and is open to the public. Proceeds from sion will begin at 10am with the movie beginning at 11am. Registrathe sale of booth spaces help fund the free youth service programs vital tion is required at www.TylerLibrary.com. to the East Texas area.

Teen: For more information, please visit the Glass Recreation Center • Teen Advisory Council will be held Saturday, March 19th, 1-2pm for located at 501 W. 32 St., Tyler, or call (903)595-7271. ages 12 to 18. This is a group for teens looking to take an active role in helping to conceive Library events for them and their peers.

Events a Review and Earn Volunteer Hours” - Teens can earn lots March 9th - 13th - Spring • “Write of credit for school by participating in this program. To earn volunBreak Camps at Discovery teer hours for book reviews you must be a registered youth volunScience Place - Discovery teer with the City of Tyler which is free. Go to library.cityoftyler.org/ Science Place will offer Programs/Teens.aspx to download a volunteer application. Students camps over Spring Break, can read a book of their choice as long as it was published within the March 9th-13th. Camps last two years. are divided into two age • Saturday, March 21st - Teen Movie Matinee, 2pm - Pillows, blankets, groups based on school and “carpet friendly” snacks are welcome. grade: K-3rd and 4th-6th Adult: (students must be in Kindergarten or higher at • “Using e-Resources with your Digital Device” - Learn how to use the library’s e-resources from OverDrive and OneClickDigital on your registration). Spring Break camps run from 10am-4pm, but before Kindle, Nook, iPad, or Android device. Also, Ebsco e-books on your and after care is available. The cost is $25/day/camper with each computer will be covered. The e-Resources class is held the first Satadditional child from the same family at $20. Cost includes a snack urday of every month, 2-3pm. and all camp materials, but campers need to bring a sack lunch. All • Club Read takes place the last Tuesday of the month at 10am. March registration forms, waivers, etc., are available on the DSP website at is “Frog Music” by Emma Donahue. This is for adults only. www.discoveryscienceplace.org.

• “Knot Just for Grandma” Knitting Class will take place the third Monday-Friday, March 9th-13th - Sign up for Spring Break Camp Thursday of the month. at the Glass Recreation Center - Make the most of your child’s The Tyler Library is located at 201 S. College, downtown Tyler. For upcoming school break by signing up for the Glass Recreation more info call (903)593-7323, www.TylerLibrary.com.

Center’s Spring Break Camp. Throughout the week, children ages six Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18 through 12 will have the opportunity to participate in activities, coop- at all times. erative games and exciting clinics. Spring Break Camp will be held 8am-5:30pm. While snacks are provided, children should bring a sack lunch every day. The cost is $40 per child for the week. Families will receive a $5 discount for each additional child registered for this event. Space is limited, so register today. For more information, please contact the Glass Recreation Center at (903)595-7271 or check out their web page at www.TylerParksandRec.com.

Looking for fun, free, educaMarch 9th-12th - Spring tional, science based learning activity Break Art Mini-Camps will be to enjoy with your middle schooler? held at Bless Your Art. Attend Want to introduce your elementary one day or all five day camps, student to some amazing science or just refresh your own knowledge for 9am- 12 noon for ages 5 and use around the water cooler? up. Monday create a beautiful Join DSP for Science Saturdays, keepsake hand painted and continuing this month. UT Tyler cell biology students will host brief embellished clay pot. Tuesday presentations along with many hands-on activities,in the DSP Theater. explore acrylic painting on canvas with the subjects being March 21st features: your choice. Wednesday watercolor and pastels will be combined 10:30am - “How Cells Eat and Split” to create beautiful under-the-sea pictures and more. On Thursday 11am - “Cells Can Move?” sewing will be explored and you can design and hand stitch a darling 11:30am - “What are Genes” pillow, then use your skills to tinker with the scraps to see what you can create. The cost is $40 a day or $140 for all four days. RSVP to March 28th features: (903)714-6336. Bless Your Art is located at 2614 McDonald Rd., 10:30am - “Genes Make Proteins” Tyler, www.blessyourarttyler.com.

11am - “How Do We Know Where Genes are Located” 11:30am - “How Does the Environment Effect Genetics” Saturday-Sunday, March 28th-29th and April 3rd-4th - Easter Egg Express will be held at the Texas State Railroad Rusk Railroad in April 4th features: Rusk. The Easter Egg Express is a train ride full of fun, family, and 10:30am - “Making More Cells” entertainment. Take a train ride to meet the Easter Bunny plus enjoy 11am - “Why is Too Much Sun Bad for Me” an Easter egg hunt, hayride, games, food vendors, and more. Trains 11:30am - “Cells Talk to Each Other” depart Rusk Depot at 11am and 2:30pm. The Rusk Depot is located Museum admission is not required for attendance to Science Satin Rusk at Hwy 84 W and Park Road 76. Tickets for standard class urday sessions and a certificate of attendance will be available for stuare adult $25, child $15, and under 2 are free. Lone Star Class tickets dents whose teachers offer extra credit. are adult $45, child: $25 and under 2 free. For more info visit Discovery Science Place is located at 308 N. Broadway Ave, downwww.texasstaterr.com or call (903)683-3451. town Tyler, (903)533-8011, www.discoveryscienceplace.org.

The Annual Rummage Sale:

Science Saturdays Continues at Discovery Science Place

Books

A Potpourri of Reads

By Gini Rainey “Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body”

By Martin Pistorius

This international best-seller is the sad yet ultimately victorious story of Martin Pistorius from South Africa, who at the age of twelve was stricken with a mysterious disease that left him a quadriplegic and unable to speak.

When the doctors felt nothing more could be done for him and that he was probably severely brain damaged, he was institutionalized during the day while both of his parents worked to support their family.

Martin spent 10 years either in a wheelchair or on cushions on the floor, virtually a prisoner in his own body, unable to communicate in any way and hating his existence. At the mercy of his caregivers, he was unable to move or speak, tell anyone he was hot or cold, or uncomfortable. He had no way to tell them what he wanted to eat, drink, or what he wanted to do. He was abused mentally, physically, and even sexually by his caregivers. Unable to verbalize, he was not able to tell anyone about the abuse, so it continued.

Fortunately for Martin, one of his caregivers recognized a glimmer of awareness in his eyes and sensed that he was very much aware of the world outside his body. At her encouragement, Martin’s parents had him tested and discovered for themselves what Martin had known for a few years – he had a fully functioning brain. After a series of trials and errors, and with the incredible and patient assistance of his parents, Martin was able to finally communicate with those around him.

Now able to communicate, Martin’s life started to become better. He got a job and because of the technological communication advances for people such as himself, he was in high demand as the voice for the voiceless at seminars and symposiums for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Perhaps the greatest moment of Martin’s life, though, was when he met Joanna, a friend of his sister who was living in London. They met online, and although they lived on different continents, they pursued a relationship with each other via SKYPE. Joanna was very kind, caring, and loving and accepted Martin exactly as he was. After 6 months of SKYPE-dating, they finally met in person and it was not too long after, they were married.

Martin’s story could be anyone’s story. What happened to him could happen to anyone, but I think what makes his story so amazing is that he had the courage and determination to fight for his life while faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. It also is an amazing story of the love and dedication of his parents who fought against the odds to help their son become all that he could become.

Rating: 5 of 5 Copyright 2013 – Thomas Nelson

Trade Center and the American Airlines Flight 587 crash in Queens. Most of us witnessed these events via sterile viewings on our televisions, but Melinek takes her readers right into the nitty gritty of it and introduces them to the incredible efforts made by heroic people during the aftermath of these masscasualty disasters.

Although Melinek jumps around a bit in time, her writing is suffused with her personality, character, and her dedication to her profession. There are times when you might feel that the medical personnel are a bit irreverent, but then you will realize that this is a survival technique for people who deal with not-soneat death on a daily basis.

As Judy tells her husband, T. J. after he complains that listening to her daily stories of her work will cause him to wear gloves and a mask when he is out in public, “Staying alive is mostly common sense.” There are a lot of folks out there who are doing some pretty stupid things and she’ll unabashedly tell you their stories. Certainly the stories she shares can be gruesome and cause you to wonder how they will die, but then she reminds the reader that a pathologist gives you the last physical exam you will ever have.

One strong point that Judy makes is that an autopsy is really a medical discovery. To be a pathologist you have to want to be a detective, albeit a cautious one, for the pathologist’s word and cause of death is the last word.

Dr. Melink’s stories are sometimes funny, but they are always filled with the knowledge that comes from someone who truly knows her profession. This book is definitely one of the best of this genre and it is extremely well written, with just the right amount of medical terminology, and the translation of what could otherwise be a very grisly topic is tastefully handled.

Rating: 5 of 5 Copyright 2014 – Scribner

“On The Island”

By Tracey Garvis Graves

This book could easily be renamed “The Blue Lagoon Meets the Nanny Files.” Anna Emerson, a thirty year old English teacher looking for adventure, has been worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a personal relationship that is going absolutely nowhere. She literally jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring sixteen year old T. J. T. J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. He is a survivor of cancer and is ready to get back to his normal life, but his parents insist that he spend his summer in the Maldives catching up on all of the school work he has missed while taking cancer treatments.

So Anna and T.J. board a private plane to fly to the Callahan’s summer home. Well, of course, the unthinkable happens as they are flying over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands – their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover that they are stranded on an uninhabited island.

At first their only thought is about survival, but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, they encounter plenty of other obstacles. Violent storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return make life in the Maldives more interesting than Anna or T. J. ever thought it could be. Oh, and then there is the fact that T. J. is on the cusp of manhood.

Sarcasm aside, this really is a lovely story about “Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 two people thrown together who learn to depend on Bodies, and the Making of a each other to survive. You would think that a romance Medical Examiner” By Judy between the two would seem very unlikely, but with Melinek, M.D. and T. J. Mitchell the sensitive and powerful way the story is told, it You knew it was just seems to make good sense that this would hapjust a matter of time pen. Not told from just one point of view, but from before I would pull out both, you are able to get inside Anna and T.J.’s heads another medical foren- to see their thought processes and how their relationsic book, didn’t you? ship evolves.

Well, this one is a bit This is a great romance novel and an easy read. different from my usual Additionally, it is one of the better self-published Patricia Cornwell fare – books I have read in quite a while and I would recthis one is real. “Work- ommend it for a great way to spend a rainy afternoon ing Stiff” is extremely during the upcoming spring. rich in medical detail, Rating: 5 of 5 so if you choose to read Copyright 2012 - Plume it, be prepared for grisly, uncensored descriptions of the cases Dr. Melinek witnessed or was EGuide will list any event for free, yes... involved in.

Dr. Melinek moved to New York from California to study to become a forensic pathologist. Based out Log on to our website, click “Submit an Event” of the medical examiner’s office in the Bronx, she sees and simply fill out the form. It’s that easy. it all in one form or another. Of particular interest are the sections that recount her experiences in the aftermath of both the 9/11 terrorist attack at the World

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Rose City Chili POD Saturday, March 7th

34th Rose City Chili Cook-off Benefiting the Spirit of St. Louis Therapeutic Riding Program for special needs adults and teens Starts at 11am Public tasting for People’s Choice voting begins at 11am with a $3 tasting cup.

Anyone can cook in any of the open categories.

Yummy chili, there will also be beans.

Registration opens at 8:30am, pre-registration by mail is available by sending application to Rose City Pod, PO Box 132401, Tyler, TX 75713.

For more information, call Blu Monday-Daniels at (903)372-2818.

This is free to attend and is always a great fun event.

Held at Gander Mountain, 150 Market Square Blvd. just off S. Broadway, Tyler EGuideMagazine.com • 23

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