To Do

Best Seafood in East Texas!

Hand-breaded & Made to Order Boiled Shrimp, Boiled Crawfish Gumbo, Snow Crab Legs & More

1714 S. BECKHAM TYLER, TEXAS 903.596.8226 LOCATIONS: 7428 OLD JACKSONVILLE HWY. T YLER, TEXAS (903) 630-5306 3312 N. 4 TH ST. L ONGVIEW, TEXAS 903.663.2940

4803 Old Bullard Rd, Ste 1, Tyler, TX 75703 (903) 581-6700 — dakotasintyler.com

Live Music

Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

6 EGuideMagazine.com • Download “EGuide Tyler TX” App for Free! March 27th (7-9pm) for Tour & Garden Party (7:30-10:30pm): Historic Tyler, Inc. Candlelight Tour & Party The Candle- light party features the impres- sively pre- served The ConnallyMussel- man House and is a one night oppor- tunity to experience this piece of history. Both the exterior as well as the interior of the Connally-Musselman House holds many beautiful surprises with its eclectic architectural style. For more info call (903)595- 1960 or go to HistoricTyler.org. Admission for members is $100; non-members is $125; at the door, tickets are $135 per person. This will be held at The Connally-Musselman House, 700 S. Broadway Avenue in the Charnwood Residen- tial District. March 28th (Gates Open at 1pm, Tours start every 10 minutes with the last tour at 4:30pm): Spirits of Oakwood Tours Enjoy a guided walking tour through His- toric Oakwood Cemetery. Historians will be dressed in period clothing portraying notable Tyler and Smith County citizens buried in this beautiful old cemetery. Oakwood Cemetery is located at the corner of Oakwood and Palace in Tyler. For more info call (903)316-2201 or go to oakwoodcemeterytyler.com. Admission is $10 per person, children 12 and under free. March 28th (7:30pm): East Texas Symphony Orchestra Concert: Symphonie Fantastique

Enjoy Hector Berlioz’s musical masterpiece, exploring the life of a troubled artist. Symphonie Fantastique was described by Leonard Bern- stein as “the first musical expedition into psy- chedelia.” Guest conductor for the concert is the internationally acclaimed Yoav Talmi. This will be held at UT Tyler Cowan Center, 3900 University Blvd., in Tyler. For more info go to (903)566-7424 or go to ETSO.org. Admission is $18-$65. March 28th-29th (Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm): Historic Tyler on Tour

See the lovely historic architecture from the outside and inside. Tour guides will tell you the story of the homes and their unique architec- tural elements. Homes on tour are: • The Enmon House: 1401 Belmont Drive in the Azalea District • The Farrell House: 1308 South Donny- brook Avenue in the Azalea Dis- trict • The Fisher House: 1617 McDonald Road, Bruce Goff House • The Fite-Heines House, 612 Tremont Place in the Azalea District • The Odom House: 607 West Rusk Street in the Azalea District

For more info call (903)595-1960 or go to HistoricTyler.org. Admission for members is $15 and non-members is $25.

April 3rd-4th (10am-4pm): The 2020 Rose City Artisans and Flower Market Visit the fresh, upscale artisans and flower market on the front lawn. Find unique pot- tery, gifts, and paint- ings. Need flowers or plants? They will have what you need, and the vendors are experienced growers. Goodman Museum is located at 624 N. Broadway, Tyler. This market is dedicated to “all things gardening for garden lovers” and will feature bedding plants, flowers, garden décor, produce, herbs, and hand-made specialty items. For more info call (903)531- 1214 or go to goodmanmuseum.com. Admis- sion is free. April 4th (6:30-9:30pm): Rambling Roses Anniversary Dance

Rambling Roses 48th Anniversary Dance will be with the dynamic duo Tim Tyl calling and Fred Ayers cueing. Food will be served at 6:30pm, and dancing starts at 7pm. The best “tin can auction” in East Texas is right here. Try your hand at winning a super gift. Admis- sion for dancers is a $7 donation, and specta- tors can watch for free. This will be held at the Tyler Senior Center, 1915 Garden Valley Rd. in Tyler. For more info call (903)566-4538 or go to ETSRDA.com. April 4th (1-4pm): Adults Easter Eggs Hunt

Proud Positive Women Associa- tion is having a fundraiser. Tick- ets are $20 if you would like to participate in this event. They will have 20 gift cards from local businesses which will be placed in 20 eggs. Also, two 32-inch TVs will be given away that day, and there’s much more. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited. Get your tickets at events.ticketprinting.com/event/Adults-EasterEggs-Hunt-37151. The Smith County Master Gardeners Free Lecture Series: Get Growing Season Advice From The Experts

The Smith County Master Gardeners free lecture series will begin at 11:30am at Tyler Public Library’s Taylor Auditorium, 201 S. College Ave., Down- town Tyler.

It is free to attend. Dates, topics, and speak- ers are: • March 20th: “Changes to Birdlife in Texas” by Cliff Shackleford, Texas Parks & Wildlife ornithologist • April 17th: “Blooms” by Andi Rathbone, Smith County Master Gardener • May 15th: “Pollinators and Herbs” presented by Elizabeth Waldrop, Smith County Master Gardener

For more information, visit the Smith County Master Gardener Facebook page or call (903)590-2980.

The 2020 Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival Returns to Downtown Tyler May 2nd, the 7th annual Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival pre- sented by Hyundai of Longview will be held in Down- town Tyler, and with it comes the best of barbecue in Texas and top of the line music all day.

The Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festi- val has proven to be one of the most premier and unique music and food expe- riences in Texas. The festival takes place on the brick streets of the Downtown Square in Tyler every May, with the 2020 edition featuring at least 30 of the most celebrated barbecue res- taurants in Texas. Music happens for nearly 12 hours on two stages, with the main stage high- lighting the biggest names in Texas and Red Dirt Music.

This year’s festival will also feature the state’s most celebrated barbecue restaurants providing samples of their smoked meats to attendees. Bar- becue joints from as close as Tyler and as far as Amarillo converge on the Rose City to showcase their smoked meats to thousands of barbecue enthusiasts, while thou- sands more pour onto the brick streets for the concert. Perfor- mances this year fea- ture Parker McCollum (10pm), Josh Abbott Band (8:15pm), Jason Boland & The Stragglers (6:45pm), Charley Crockett (5:15pm), and Chris Colston (3:45pm).

“Top to bottom, I don’t think there’s ever been a Red Dirt lineup we’ve been more excited about. Having these names join our incredible barbecue joints was a huge honor for our fes- tival,” Red Dirt promoter Chase Colston said. “We’re can’t wait to get back on the brick streets for another great Red Dirt BBQ & Music Fes- tival.”

The festival is sold out. Watch reddirtb- bqfest.com in case any more tickets are released. The Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival is pre- sented by 101.5 KNUE, East Texas’ No. 1 coun- try music station, “Radio Texas, LIVE! With Buddy Logan,” and Hyundai of Longview. At True Vine Brewing This Month: Celebrate 6 Years of Brewing True Vine now has two locations!

The original True Vine Brewing, complete with onsite brewery, is located at 2453 Earl Campbell Parkway, Tyler.

The new location is Downtown Tyler! True Vine On The Square is now open for business bringing their “love of craft beer and community to the downtown area.” Downtown, they are not stopping with just beer - in addition to having all of your favorite beers on tap, True Vine On The Square will also carry an exten- sive selection of red and white wines. Rock on at True Vine’s 6th Year Celebration! Raise your glass - Tyler’s first craft brewery is turning 6! “It’s almost unbelievable that our little brewery has been rocking on for six years. We are honored by all the support we’ve had from you Question: Where Is Dr. Factenstein Appearing? Trivia is all over Tyler these days and Dr. Factenstein is offering a good time for all ages. Trivia is free to play. Dr Factenstein is a family-appro- priate trivia and entertainment company that strives to improve local businesses by providing fun and exciting events. For more info go to facebook.com/pg/ DrFactenstein or instagram.com/drfactenstein. Here is the schedule this month: • Every Monday (7-8pm): Trivia Bingo at Republic Icehouse, 3807 University Blvd., Tyler • Every Tuesday (7-8pm): Trivia at Twisted Root, 4601 S. Broadway, Tyler • Every Tuesday (7-8pm): Peer Review Trivia at Crust, 7428 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler • Every Wednesday (7-8pm): Trivia at Fuzzy’s, 6361 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler • Every Wednesday (7-8pm): Trivia Night at ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway, Tyler • March 25th (7-8pm): Bingo Trivia at ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway, Tyler. This is held the last Wednesday of each month. We’ll Come to You, too! Themed Trivia Nights Fundraisers DJ & Emcee Corporate Events A/V Equipment Schools Weddings Collegiate Youth Groups Family-Friendly 903) 326-9937 “Funny and Fun!!! Great family time! Fun experience...we really enjoyed ourselves! Check the facts...we mean weekly schedules (plus a few clues, too) at facebook.com/pg/DrFactenstein !!! Great for Fami l ies!

guys and we want to cele- brate this milestone with you,” said owners Ryan and Traci Dixon.

Join the fun Satur- day, March 28th at 5pm for a night of partying and rocking. This year, there is free entry with the option to purchase a specialty glass. All beers are available for purchase as normal or you can purchase a tasting card and glass. $20 will get you an 8 oz. glass to keep and six 8 oz. samples to put in that glass. One card/glass per person. Once your card runs out of samples, you can continue purchasing half-pours or full pours. And of course, there will be lots of singing and dancing. All the way from San Antonio, Texas, Howl At The Moon dueling piano bar band will be taking the stage for a night of music requests and all your favorite songs. If you’ve never experienced a dueling piano show, just know you are in for an over-the-top night of fun.

Also, 90’s Grunge tribute band Nevermind will open the night starting at 5pm.

Come ready to eat! Sola Bread Co. will be offering its full menu of pizza and appetizers as well as their legendary Brazilian steak and bread plates. Plus, the Sola Cafe will also be serving up original recipe sandwiches made on their deli- cious house-made bread.

True Vine’s friends from The Porch at ETX Brewing Food Truck will be on-site as well.

This free event (no tickets required for entry) will start at 5pm and rock all the way until 11pm. Grab your friends and come celebrate six years with True Vine!

4518 S Broadway Ave., Tyler (903) 597-2645

Download the FREE app EGuide Tyler TX and click “Hit the Bricks” for a complete list of everything going on!

Hit the Bricks March 14th: St. Patrick’s Day Bikes and Parade On the second Saturday of every month, people from all over converge on Down- town Tyler for Hit the Bricks. Downtown Tyler will be burst- ing with family fun, entertain- ment, music, food, history tours, art, and of course, the chance to check out a great locally-owned restaurant, bar, or retail estab- lishment.

This month will feature a Tyler annual favorite: Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour. This year, the tour will begin Down- town at ETX Brewing Co. Register before March 4th for a t-shirt. Check out their Facebook event for registration information. There will be fun activities on the Square including music by DJ Bring That Beat Back, a Kid’s Corner with activities, Irish-themed food and green beer, local retail and artist vendors, and more! The launch spot behind ETX Brewing will also have fun things to do. If you are a vendor and interested in setting up a booth on the square for free, con- tact MainStreet@Tylertexas.com.

Events that will be going on around Down- town Tyler are: • 9am-3pm: Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour, staging will be behind ETX Brew- ing Co. on Col- lege St. • 10am-4pm: “Springtime at the Goodman” at Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum. Explore the grounds, see archival garden photos, and make and take seed planters. • 10-11am: F amily ASL Class held at the Tyler Public Library; signup is required. • 11:15am-12:15pm: A dult ASL Class held at the Tyler Public Library; signup is required. • 10am-6pm: Tyler Vinyl Record Expo, located at 324 E. Locust (beside Ye Olde City Antique Mall), tickets are $3-$5. This is a buy, sell, or trade show featuring all things music and music-related with an emphasis on vinyl records. • 11:30am-5:30pm: East Texas Sip & Shop St. Patrick’s Day event; the adventure will begin at ETX Brewing Co., spots sell out quickly; get your tickets here: sipandshop- texas.com. • 12 noon-4pm: The Smith County Historical Society’s newest exhibit is “The Suc- cess of Smith County Texas Women.” Currently featured are six women from our past: Marietta Crowder Walker, Alliene

Gaston Coker, Willie Lee Campbell Glass, Sarah McClendon, Ann Collins Campbell (Earl Campbell’s mom), and Bess Robin- son. Come learn more about this Doctor, Bank- ing Execu- tive, Educa- tor, Reporter, Independent Rose Grower, and Deputy Sheriff. Also on display is art by local artist A.C. Gentry, Jr. and the “20th Century of Progress Exhibit.” • 6-7:30pm: M urder Mystery Dinner at Goodman Museum; the theme is “Road Trip Nightmare on Route 66;” tickets are $40 per person. • 6pm: Liv e Music at ETX Brewing with Ansley, no cover. All ages welcome. Pets, too outside. • 9pm-1am: Decades will be playing at Rick’s on the Square. There is a cover charge at the door. Shopping Fun

While you’re in Down- town enjoying one of these special events, be sure to check out some of the Downtown busi- nesses. These stores offer unique items that can only be found in Downtown Tyler. • Ar tfix Cultured Studios offers a place to view and purchase items from a variety of local artists as well as take art classes. • B ackbone Hair + Beauty, located at 235 S. Broadway, is open 9am-5pm. Get a styl- ish new hairdo along with experiencing a downtown jibe in this hip new hair salon. They also sell a line of cool t-shirts and hair prod- ucts. • Moss: Where Flowers are Fair features local and fairly traded DowntownTyler.org

fresh flowers, plantings, locally-made apothecaries, and vintage finds. • Ridiculously Good Branding and Thread Co. offers a design studio and retail store specializing in branding, print materials, and social media. Their shirts are printed inhouse using eco-friendly inks on fair trade shirts with a lot of love. • The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store, located at 723 N. Broad- way, offers the bargain hunter tons of gently used stuff plus a load of bargains. They feature everything from furni- ture to clothing and kitchen gadgets to electronics. • Y e Olde City Antique Mall, 302 E. Locust St., offers great trea- sures, antiques, and a world of memories. Eat Your Heart Out

Sink your teeth into one of the local Downtown eateries. These are open on Saturdays: • Andy’s Frozen Yogurt, located at 110 N. College, Ste. 103, will be open soon! • B lack Pearl, located at 106 W. Erwin St., is open 4pm-12 mid- night. • Culture ETX, located at 118 W. Erwin St., Tyler, is open 11am10pm. • Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant, located at 113 E. Erwin St., is open 12 noon-10pm. • El Lugar on the Square, located at 111 W. Ferguson St. • The Foundry Coffee House, located at 202 S. Broadway, is open at 7am-11pm. • J ack Ryan’s Steak & Chophouse, located at 102 N. College Ave., is open 5-10pm. • M i Mexico Lindo, located at 232- 405 W. Front St. • The Porch at ETX Brewery, located at 221 S. Broadway, is open 7:30am-12 midnight. It is pet-friendly outside on the patio. • Rhea ’s Hot Links, located at 204 S. Fannin Ave., is open Satur- days 9am-5:30pm. • Rick ’s on the Square, located at 104 W. Erwin St., is open 4pm1am. • SportsZone, located at 115 E. Erwin St., is open at 3pm-1am. • Strada Caffè, located at 302 E. Front St., is open 8am-10pm. • T aqueria El Lugar, located at 111 W. Ferguson, is open 10am8pm. • T rue Vine Brewing Downtown, Located at 110 N. College, Ste. 102 is open 11am-11pm.

There are usually a few food trucks hanging around Down- town as well so there’s no excuse to leave hungry with all of the dining options because in Downtown you can have your cake and eat it too.

Hit the Bricks is held rain or shine, cold or hot- there is always something to do Downtown on the second Saturday of every month. For more information go to visittyler.com/HitTheBricks, find the event on Facebook, or download the FREE app “EGuide Tyler TX.”

Contact me for all of your real estate needs! Multi Million Dollar Producer Lindale and Tyler Office Locations (903)571-0608

At Liberty Hall This Month: See “Gone With The Wind” On The Big Screen

Liberty Hall is located at 103 E. Erwin St., Tyler. Tickets are available online at libertytyler. com. March 7th (7pm): Cash & King in Concert Stardom Entertainment is proud to pres- ent ‘Cash and King,’ a pro- duction that pays tribute to two of the biggest icons ever in the history of music, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. You will be entertained as the classic hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s come alive in this all-new rock ‘n’ roll show with award-winning performances by Bennie Wheels (Johnny Cash), Andy King (70’s Elvis Presley), and Moses Snow (50’s Elvis Presley). Shake, Rattle & Roll, a local Texas Doo-Wop Girls Group, will have you toetappin’ & singin’ and will be the back-up singers for the entertainers. Cash and the King is backed by one of the top tribute bands, Edge of Reality Band. They have backed many Elvis Tribute Art- ists and other Celebrity Tribute Artists around the United States for many years. “Cash and King” is a great performance for all ages, very entertaining, and the newest tribute show in the DFW area and is not to be missed! This is a pub- lic rental. Liberty Hall is not in charge of ticket- ing. For ticket assistance, please call (817)251- 1738. Tickets are available now at LibertyTyler. com and range from $20-$40. Doors open at 6pm. March 13th (7pm): Interactive: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” Liberty Hall brings you the clas- sic come- dic sendup, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” But this is no ordinary movie showing: with your ticket, they will pro- vide a hilarious quote-along script and a pair of coconut halves so you can laugh and clip-clop your way through one of the best British com- edies of all time. The fun doesn’t stop there. Be sure to brush up on your trivia because we will be giving out exclusive Liberty Hall prizes before we start the film. Tickets are available now at LibertyTyler.com. General admission $10. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. March 24th (2pm): “Gone with the Wind” (1939) Liberty Hall is the best place to experi- ence the classics, and it doesn’t get more classic than the Southern Civil War epic, “Gone with the Wind.” In 1940, Liberty Hall was the only theatre in Tyler to premiere the film, and 80 years later, it is being brought back to East Texas audiences, most of whom have never seen it on the big screen.

In honor of true Southern hospital- ity, sweet tea and lem- onade will be served, which is included with the ticket price.

Liberty Hall will also host special guests the Azalea Belles, to celebrate the start of the Azalea Trail season. These lovely Southern ladies will be in full costume, swishing up and down the aisles to usher patrons to their seats. Come

before the film starts for a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity in the lobby. Tickets are available now at LibertyTyler.com. General admission tickets are $7, children under four years old are $4. Doors open at 1pm and the show starts at 2pm. March 26th (7pm): Penny & Sparrow in Concert Joy and pain walk hand in hand on “Finch,” Penny and Sparrow’s magnificent sixth album. Written during their first major break from the road in years, the record finds the band reck- oning with a prolonged period of intense per- sonal transformation, a profound awakening that altered their perceptions of masculinity, sex, religion, divorce, friendship, vanity, purpose, and perhaps most importantly, self. The result- ing songs blur the lines between indie-folk and alt-pop, with dense string arrangements, soar- ing melodies and airtight harmonies from Andy Baxter and his longtime musical partner Kyle Jahnke. Opening the concert is the Nashville based duo Sawyer, comprised of Kel Taylor and Emma Harvey, that can be described in no other way than “Indie Sparkle Pop.” Tickets are avail- able now at LibertyTyler.com. Tickets are $28 and up. March 28th (8-10pm): Card 53 March Show Card 53’s monthly show will be held March 28th at Lib- erty Hall, 103 E. Erwin St., Downtown Tyler. You never know what will happen at a Card 53 show! The laughs are all made up on the spot, plus there’s free beer and wine! Card 53 Com- edy brings their unique style of improv “make- mups” back to the stage of Liberty Hall. They are excited to create for you an experience like

no other in Tyler, made up entirely on the spot based off your suggestions. Card 53 strives each show to be what they consider “clean-ish” how- ever due to the unpredictable nature of improv they risk embarrassing their wives, girlfriends, dogs, employers, and total strangers with their unique style of improv “makemups.” Tickets are $15 in advance and available at libertytyler.com. These shows usually sell out. April 10th (8pm): Ruthie Foster

See Ruthie Foster up close and personal! Fos- ter is a three-time Grammy-nominated singersongwriter of blues and folk music. S he mixes a wide palette of American song forms, from gospel and blues to jazz, folk, and soul. She has often been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. Tickets are on sale now. Save the Date • April 30th (7pm): John Conlee • A pril 25th: Card 53 Comedy

10 EGuideMagazine.com • Download “EGuide Tyler TX” App for Free! At Tyler Public Library This Month: Spring Break Movie Week, And Much More

The Tyler Public Library is located at 201 S. College Ave., Downtown Tyler. For more info call (903)593-7323 or go to tylerlibrary.com. For more information about programs, call (903)593-7323 or email idesk@tylertexas.com. Most of the events are free unless noted. Weekly Storytimes Families with infants, toddlers and preschool- ers are invited to the Library week- day mornings for age-appropriate storytimes that include reading, singing and play- time. For sessions starting before the Library opens, please enter through the auditorium’s external door. See below for more pro- gram information. • Mondays at 10:30am: Leeme un Cuento (ages three to six, but all ages are welcome) • Wednesdays at 10am and 10:45am: Toddler Time (18-36 months) • Wednesdays at 9:15am: Infant Lap and Play Time (ages 0 to 18 months) • Thursdays at 10:30am: Read Aloud Crowd (preschoolers ages three to six, but all ages are welcome) • Thursday, March 5th (10:30am): A Special Dr. Seuss Story Time will be presented, geared for ages 2 to 6 years, but all ages are welcome. Storytime will feature reading, singing, and a Dr. Seuss-themed activity. • Thursdays, March 5th and 19th (11:30am): Sensory-Friendly Story Time - Presented in partnership with BlueSprig Pediatrics, this is a storytime for children of all ages on the autism spectrum, with attention deficits or other dif- fering abilities. Story time will feature reading and sensory-friendly activities.

Please note, there will be no sessions of Infant Story Time or Toddler Time on Wednes- day, March 4th. Additionally, there will be no storytimes for any storytime sessions during the week of March 9th-13th. Talking Tales will not meet in March. Book Sale

The Spring Book Sale will open Wednes- day, March 11th and run through Sunday, March 15th in the Library lobby. The sale begins daily when the Library opens and will end 30 minutes before closing time. Most items are priced at $1 or less. On Sunday, they will have their Bag & Box Sale. Paper grocery bags can be filled for $4 a bag and cardboard boxes can be filled for $7 per box. There will be a large selection of children’s materials at this sale, which will be featured closest to the front doors. Items for sale include donations that do not meet the Library’s current needs as well as gently-used resources that have been withdrawn from circulation. Stock will be replenished each day of the sale, so new items may be found daily. Great Decisions The Tyler Pub- lic Library in part- nership with the American Asso- ciation of Univer- sity Women and League of Women Voters are host- ing the annual Great Decisions lecture series. The 2020 Great Decisions Lecture Series wraps up on Wednesday, March 4th at 12 noon in the Taylor Auditorium. The topic is “Artificial Intelligence and Data” presented by Dr. Robert Schumaker. Tai Chi

The Library is excited to offer a new weekly health and wellness class. Tai Chi begins March 5th and will be held every Thursday at 5:30pm in the 3rd-floor Makerspace. This program is free and open to anyone interested. Occasion- ally, some classes will be held on the large patio outside the Library, weather permitting. Come ready to move, breathe, and find your inner bal- ance. Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that is especially good for health and meditation. To get started, all you need to do is sign a health waiver. Family Game Day Thursday, March 12th at 2pm in the audi- torium, families, and children are invited to a spe- cial game day fea- turing Nintendo Switch TM games and board games. Kid Buzz

Thursday, March 5th at 4pm, kids in grades Kinder- garten to 4th grade can make their voices count by entering the “Every Body Counts” art con- test sponsored by the League of Women Voters. This contest will help educate and raise aware- ness about the upcoming United States Census. All students who enter the contest will receive a book that has been gifted and funded by the Friends of the Tyler Public Library. Kid Buzz attendees will be able to create a work of art to enter into the contest. All participants are eligi- ble to win prizes. Tweens “Every Body Counts” Art Contest Tuesday, March 17th at 5pm in the audi- torium, tweens in Grades 5th to 7th can make their voices count by enter- ing the “Every Body Counts” art contest sponsored by the League of Women Voters. This contest will help educate and raise awareness about the upcoming United States Census. All students who enter the con- test will receive a book that has been gifted and funded by the Friends of the Tyler Public Library. Tween attendees will be able to create a work of art to enter into the contest. All partici- pants are eligible to win prizes. Parent-Child Workshops

Fridays, March 6th-April 3rd at 9am, The Parent-Child Workshop will take place. This is a five-week program series geared for children ages 0 to 3 years and their parents or caregiver. Each one-hour weekly session is a fun, play-based pro- gram that provides a rich environment of toys, books, and art activities. Families will have the opportunity to spend time together, make new friends, and talk one-on-one with a different community resource professional each week. This Parent-Child workshop will also be bilin- gual, featuring community resource profession- als who speak both English and Spanish. Regis- tration is required. Visit the Library’s website to register. Spring Break Movie Week

Families and children are invited to enjoy movie matinees in the Library’s audi- torium during Spring Break. Spe- cial afternoon fea- tures will be sensory-friendly. During these fea- tures, the lights will be left on and the sound will be turned down, so families and children can get up, move around, dance or even sing. Car- pet-friendly snacks, blankets, and pillows are allowed at movies. Visit the Library’s website to view movie titles. Movie times are: • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, March 9th, 10th and 12th at 10:30am • Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10th-11th at 2pm, there will be a sensory-friendly show- time, but all are welcome to attend. FREE

Family Movie Matinee

Saturday, March 21st at 10:30am, fami- lies and children are invited to enjoy a movie matinee in the Library’s auditorium. Car- pet-friendly snacks, blankets, and pillows are allowed. Visit the Library’s website for the movie title. Makerspace: Popsicle Stick Car Derby

The cars have been built and the derby is ready to go! Kids who built a car in the February Makerspaces are invited on March 14th at 2pm to race! Registration for Makerspace activities is required and limited to 15 participants per class. In order to join the Derby, racers must have participated in a previ- ous car building session and be registered for the Derby. Nutrition Classes for Seniors

Seniors are invited to a nutrition class on March 19th at 2pm in the auditorium. This class will cover the following: benefits of good nutri- tion, the basics of eat- ing for health and fitness, practical tips for mak- ing small changes that have an impact over time, resources for learning more, and focuses on nutrients that are important to older adults.

Come learn some useful tips regarding nutri- tion on March 26th at 5:30pm in the audito- rium. This class will cover the following: benefits of good nutrition, the basics of eating for health and fitness, practical tips for making small changes that have an impact over time, and resources for learning more. Mario Kart Tournament The sec- ond Mario Kart Tournament for adults is March 28th at 2pm in the Auditorium. Anyone 18 and up is welcome to sign-up for this event. Signup will be avail- able starting on March 13th. Get ready to race! Kids will be allowed to enter the day of the event if space allows. All equipment is provided by the Library. This program is made possible by Friends of the Tyler Public Library. Saving for Retirement

Why is it important to save for the future? When should you start saving for retirement? How do you develop a savings plan for your retirement? If you’ve asked yourself these ques- tions (or others related), then you should attend this program on March 31st at 5:30pm in the Auditorium. Regions Bank will be present- ing answers to all of these questions and more. Affiliation with Regions Bank is not required to attend. This is a program open to anyone. Recurring Programs • Yoga: Mondays and Wednesday from 5:30- 6:30pm in the Library Auditorium • Quilting: Tuesdays from 10am-1pm in the third-floor Makerspace • Meditation: Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm in the third-floor Makerspace • Writer’s Club: Wednesdays from 12 noon-2pm in the third-floor Makerspace • Chess Club: Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm in the third-floor Makerspace • Crochet: Saturdays from 11am-1pm in the third-floor Makerspace • Ham Radio Classes: First and third Saturdays of the month, 2-4pm • East Texas Genealogical Society Meeting: Second Saturday of the month at 2pm in the Library Auditorium • Computer Classes: First and third Fridays and fourth Saturday of the month 9-10am in the Library Computer Lab. Sign up online or by calling the Library.

At Tyler State Park This Month: Spring Is Here, So Get Out To The Park

At Tyler State Park, you can boat, fish, swim in the lake, hike, mountain bike, picnic, geocache, camp, bird- watch, and study nature. Tyler State Park is a place year-round to explore nature and experience the beauty of east Texas. Tyler State Park is located at 789 Park Road 16, Tyler. All events are free with a fee paid for admission into the park. Adults are $6 daily and children 12 years and under are free. For more info go to tpwd.texas. gov/state-parks/tyler, call (903)597-5338, or email boyd.sanders@tpwd.texas.gov. Dress for the weather and check-in at the front gate for loca- tions of classes. This month’s events are: March 7th, April 7th

10am: Dutch Oven Cooking: History in a Black Pot - This simple black pot tells the story of Amer- ica. Learn the basics of the fine art of historic camp cooking with cast iron!

2-4pm: Backcountry Hike Series - Don’t give up on that New Year’s resolution yet. Escape into the forest with a backcountry hike. You can learn about the East Texas forest and discover the health benefits of being outdoors. March 11th & 18th: Spring Break Fun 10-11am: Knotty-time for Kids - Come learn some basic camp knots every camper needs to know. Knots have “tied” together civilizations throughout history and they are still important today. Learn knots important for camping and one that can be a lifesaver!

11am-12 noon: Kid’s Wilderness Survival - Create a survival guide with hidden messages! Learn how to keep from getting lost, what to do if you are lost, and how to make a handy survival pack.

2-3pm: “Lost” in the Forest - Explore the defi- nitions of what it means to be “lost in the forest.” Learn how to keep from getting lost, what to do if you are lost, and how not every kind of “lost” is a bad thing. March 12th & 19th

10-11am: Critter Scene Investigations Walk - Put on your nature detective’s hat and use the evi- dence before you to develop theories about what may have happened in your scene.

2-3pm: Home Improvement: The Beaver Pond - The rodent that changes its world! The often mis- understood rodent, the beaver, changes its environ- ment to meet its needs. March 13th & 20th

10-11am: The Boys in Green: The Civilian Con- servation Corps - Who were the CCC? Who were the Civilian Conservation Corps? What did they do at Tyler State Park? What was camp life like? Discover the answer to these questions.

2-3pm: Caddo Culture: Everyday Life and Epic Legends - Explore the Caddo Confederacy. Learn about their culture, stories, trade routes, moundbuilding, ceremonies, and agriculture. March 14th & 21st

10-11am: Zombie Apocalypse - What happens when things go wrong? Can you survive without cell phones, electricity, or transportation? Come and play this light-hearted game of survival and see if you make it through the apocalypse.

2-3pm: Historic Games: Having Fun the Old Fashioned Way - Can you come out to play? Amaz- ingly enough, people used to play outdoors and with other people. Try out some of the games and discover they really did know how to have fun! March 28th

8:15-10am: Tyler State Park Birding Tour - Let’s Go Birding! You will travel into the park to find birds, observe them in the wild, and add them to your lists.

11am-12 noon: Wildfood Walk - Learn to iden- tify edible wild plants and how to prepare them. 2-3pm: Nature Navigation - Find your way through the outdoors without a map and com- pass. Read nature through subtle clues to find directions, understand weather, water, and more.

2020 5K’s, Fun Runs & Much More

To add a walk, run, or biking event, please send to eguidemagazine@gmail.com. It is always free to list any event. March 7th (7:30am): 7th Annual FRESH 15 The 2020 FRESH 15 is going to be big- ger and better! The race starts and finishes at the flagship grocery store, FRESH by Brookshire’s, located in Tyler. The race features a 15K, 5K and a Lil’ FRESHie 1K. There will be a staggered start for easier traffic flow. All runners should line up by 7am in the corral according to the projected finish time. FRESH by Brookshire’s is located at 6991 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler. Register now at bgcracing.com/fresh-15/registration/ or facebook.com/events/356951975215859/. There is always an awesome after race party! March 14th (9am): Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour

This year’s event will be hosted in Down- town Tyler at the ETX Brewing Co.! TBC’s event is back in the heart of Tyler and will con- tinue to grow into the ride it was many moons ago. The tour name, Beauty and the Beast, depicts a beautiful bike ride in the rolling hills of East Texas, with the “Beast” being a hill on Old Omen Road as you leave Lake Tyler. Par- ticipants earn a medal if they can “slay the Beast” and pedal to the top of the hill. Staging will be behind the brewery on S. College. The Bicycle Tour features three routes of 26, 43 and 62 miles that will all begin at College Avenue and Erwin Street. The cyclists will make their way east of town and head toward Overton. Register at

itri365.com. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to support the Salvation Army and the main- tenance of the Mountain Bike Trails at Lindsay and Faulkner Parks. For more info, call (903) 372-4511 or email lewislandman@gmail.com. March 21st (8am): 2020 Azalea Run Join the 37th annual Tyler Aza- lea Run, run along the Azalea Trails, and support a great cause! Registration includes a t-shirt and finisher medals. This is a chiptimed race with awards and a 10K finisher beer mug. Registration is available at facebook.com/ events/682650248804703/. This will be held at Bergfeld Park, 1510 College Ave., Tyler. March 28th (6:30am-12 noon): True Vine’s Beer Run

It’s that time again...time for the annual True Vine Beer Run - and this year, it is prom- ised to be the biggest Beer Run ever! This year the Beer Run course will take you across Tyler as runners will start at True Vine On The Square in Downtown Tyler and make their way to the True Vine Earl Campbell location! The course this year will take you through the beautiful Azalea District, up the wooded road of Old Noonday Road, and finally to the front entrance of True Vine on Earl Campbell (about 3 miles in total).

Along the way, runners will be greeted by “course stations” set up on the route by our friends from around Tyler. Course stations will be handing out things like water, beer, swag, donuts, playing hype music (there may be a drum line showing up) and other general overthe-top motivation to keep you going. This

year’s Beer Run will benefit and highlight the meaningful work that the East Texas Food Bank is doing for Tyler and the surrounding com- munities. To register go to eventbrite.com. You must be 21+ to participate in this year’s Beer Run. Tickets are $35. Prizes will be given for best costume, best group outfit, best dog, and last place (yes, we’re serious). April 4th (7:30am): 9th Annual Run for Autism The Tyler Run for Autism began in 2012 with the purpose of rais- ing funds to pro- vide much needed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for chil- dren on the autism spectrum in East Texas. They are excited to once again have El Charro on the Ridge as presenting sponsor for this 8th annual event. 100% of the funds raised are given back to children enrolled at The Treat- ment and Learning Center for Children with Autism (TLC) or Autism Response Team of East Texas (A.R.T.). To register go to facebook.com/ events/2346737202205460/. April 18th (7:30am): The Diva Du 2020

The Diva Du 2020 will be held at Kiepersol’s Winery and Distillery, 4120 FM 344 E, Tyler. The Diva Du is East Texas’ first and only exclu- sively women’s event. Sprint and Olympic dis- tances are offered, in addition to relay teams and a 5K for those who want to join the fun without a bike involved. This is a beginner’s distance run. Divas have continued to rock it out and earn the bragging rights that come from climbing East Texas hills. The Sprint duathlon will consist of a 1.5-mile run, 10-mile bike, and 1.5-mile run. The Olympic distance, 3ish mile run, 25ish mile bike, and 3ish mile run. Register at divadu.love/ bullard-texas-diva-du.

April 25th (8am): Taco Trot 5K Presented by Southern Multifoods It’s time to “taco” bout a 5K in Down- town Jackson- ville! Join for the first-ever Taco Trot 5K, spon- sored by Southern Multifoods and benefitting the American Cancer Society. Get ready for a family-friendly event where kids 12 and under can run the 5K for a reduced rate of only $15! All participants will receive a super soft shirt, finishers medal, and TACOS (duh)! Regis- ter at active.com/jacksonville-tx/. April 25th (8am): Tyler Rose City Miracle Run Run for THEIR Lives! Lace up your shoes and join the community to run, walk, jog or stroll to help save local kids’ lives through Chil- dren’s Miracle Network. A chip timed 5K and Family Fun Run will take place. All registrants receive a run t-shirt. Help make miracles hap- pen for the kids in our community. Registra- tion price goes up March 1st. This will be held at Rose Rudman Park behind Woodcreek Athletic Club, Tyler. For more info or to register go to miraclerun5k.org. Save the Date • May 2nd (8am): Tyler’s The Fast & The Furri- est Fun Run • M ay 2nd (8am): 2020 Fire 5K in Edom • May 9th (7am): More Than Pink Walk • J uly 4th (7:30am): Freedom Fighter 5K • S eptember 12th-13th: Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose City Triathlon • O ctober 10th (9am): 2020 Corkscrew Half, 10K & 5K • O ctober 10th (8:30am): Harvest Hustle 5K

Cowan Center Rocks the 2020 Season: Have A “Beautiful” Time With The Music Of Carole King It’s springtime, and the fun continues at Cowan Center in Tyler. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Cowan Center box office at (903)566-7424 or visiting in person 9am-4pm MondayFriday. You can also purchase tickets online at cowancenter. org. All events are performed in the Cowan Center located on the campus of The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Boulevard – FAC 1120, Tyler. More informa- tion can be found at CowanCenter.org. Upcom- ing productions are: Thursday, March 26th (7:30pm): “BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical”

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” tells the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning inspir- ing true story of King’s remarkable rise to star- dom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relation- ship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music his- tory. Along the way, she made more than beau- tiful music: she wrote the soundtrack to a gen- eration. Thursday, April 2nd (7:30pm): “Menopause: The Musical” “Menopause The Musical®” - COME JOIN OUR SISTERHOOD! Four women at a lin- gerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night

sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheer- ing and dancing in the aisles! See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for 18 years! It’s the “Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®” Tuesday, April 14th (7:30pm): Carly Fiorina

A true leader, Carly Fiorina is a passionate advocate for problem-solving, innovation, and effective leadership. Starting out as a secretary for a 9-person real-estate business, she eventu- ally became the first woman to lead a Fortune 50 company. Recruited to lead HP in 1999, Carly’s leadership lifted HP to become the 11th largest company in the U.S. With Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Carly co-founded the One-Woman Initiative to engage and empower women in Pakistan, Egypt, India, and the Phil- ippines. Carly was appointed by President Bush and CIA Director Michael Hayden to serve as the Chairman of the External Advisory Board of the CIA after 9/11. In 2015, Carly launched a campaign for President, focused on empower- ing and engaging citizens to take back govern- ment from a political ruling class that has failed to deliver results.

This Month at the SPCA of East Texas: The Return Of Pints & Pups Have fun and make a difference at these fun events this month benefitting the SPCA of East Texas. The SPCA of East Texas rescues, fosters, rehabilitates, and adopts homeless pets from our community. They provide affordable spay/neu- ter and vaccination services at the SNIPPET Clinic. Their mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals and reduce pet overpopu- lation. March 5th (6-8pm): Pints & Pups will be held at ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway, Tyler. Grab the pups for the first Pints and Pups of 2020! A por- tion of the proceeds from each beer sold will be donated to the SPCA of East Texas! Also, bring an item from their wish list and receive free chips & salsa. The Wish List includes puppy pads, IAMS Smart Puppy, Large Breed, & Minic- hunks Dog Food, Tidy Cat Clumping Cat Lit- ter, collars and leashes of all sizes, new or used towels & blankets, dog beds, dog and cat toys and treats, and cleaning supplies such as Clorox Wipes, Paper Towels and Clorox Bleach. Pints & Pups are held March-December at ETX on the first Thursday of every month. March 24th (6-8pm): Pooches on the Patio at Fuzzy’s - Join for a fun-filled evening on the patio at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 6361 Old Jack- sonville Hwy. in Tyler. Bring your furry friend and enjoy delicious food and drinks while also helping out animals in need. Show the flyer at facebook.com/events/2648842131831727/ when ordering and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the SPCA of East Texas. Save the Date • April 2nd: Pints & Pups at ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway, Tyler • April 11th: Wings over Pegasus at Pegasus Ranch, 7111 CR 2339, Murchinson • April 28th: SPCA’s East Texas Day of Giving • May 7th: Pints & Pups at ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway, Tyler • October 24th: Dogtoberfest 2020 at Down- town Tyler on the Square, Tyler

At Studio Movie Grill This Month: Films For The Whole Family This month at Studio Movie Grill, there is something for everyone including Anime and Classic Movies! Studio Movie Grill (SMG) is located at 8954 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler. Tickets are available at the door and studiomoviegrill.com. As always, Special Needs Screenings are held at 11am. These family-friendly movies are free for children with special needs and their siblings, with adult tickets available for before-noon price. Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights up and the volume lowered, and chil- dren are free to move around, talk, or even dance in the aisles during the movie. Scheduled are: • M arch 14th: “Onward” • A pril 4th: “Mulan” • A pril 11th: “Peter Rabbit 2” • April 25th: “Trolls World Tour” Anime Screenings • March 9th: “Tokyo Godfathers” (Subtitles) Music and Concert Films • March 10th: “Nick Mason’s: Saucerful Of Secrets” • A pril 28th: “Enormous: The Gorge Story” Big Screen Classics • April 26th-29th: “A League of Their Own” • June 14th, 17th: “Annie” • September 13th, 14th, 17th: “Close Encoun- ters of the Third Kind” • December 13th and 14th: “Fiddler on the Roof”

12 EGuideMagazine.com • Download “EGuide Tyler TX” App for Free! Foodie Events Every Wednesday in March (5:30-7:30pm): Different Board & Charcuteries with a Twist Workshop If you haven’t got- ten “on board” with the charcuterie trend, now is the time! Every Wednesday in March, WorkHub will offer a charcuterie class to 25 participants. This is open to the public. WorkHub is located at 7922 S. Broad- way, Tyler. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com. This is presented by Azalea Catering, M6 Win- ery, and WorkHub. March 2nd (5-8pm): Lindale Rotary Club 4th Annual Wild Game Dinner

The Wild Game Dinner benefits the Lindale Rotary Club and will feature dinner, a gun raffle, and great door prizes. Tick- ets are available at facebook.com/events/481725755709219/. March 18th (6:30-9pm): St. Patrick’s Vintner’s Brewer’s Dinner & Pairing Held at Kiepersol Winery, located at 21558A Merlot Lane, Bullard, this Vint- ner’s Dinner will fea- ture an Irish-inspired pairing dinner featur- ing True Vine Brew- ing Company beers and Kiepersol Wine paired with a delicious 5-course meal.

Vintner’s Dinners are fun events where you get to try Kiepersol wine and eat some of the best food from the Restau- rant at Kiepersol. Each dinner event happens at a large table where you can sit with 50 other fellow wine lovers, foodies, and Kiepersol fans. This is a great social event or date night where you can talk to the Winemaker or Brewers. The menu will be Corned Beef Wellington, Lobster Fennel Salad, and Filet Mignon served with carrots, creamed corn, peas, and mashed potatoes with toasted cheddar.

Tickets are $120 plus tax per person, plus 20% gratuity. Dinner will be served promptly at 7pm. You’re welcome to come early and visit the bar, which is first-come, first-served, or you can visit the Winery and Distillery at Kiepersol.

For questions or concerns, please call (903)894-3300 or go to facebook.com/events/522075138665874/. March 21st (4-7pm): Fish Fry Fundraiser Supporting Ben Wheeler Volunteer Fire Dept.

This will be held at the Ben Wheeler Fire & Rescue, located on FM 279 and FM 858 in Ben Wheeler. Come out and sup- port the Ben Wheeler Fire & Rescue at this fish fry fundraiser. It’s $5 a plate and includes fish, fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, and water. To-go orders and drive-thru are available. For more info go to facebook.com/events/189811295701465/. No advance tickets are needed. This is sponsored by Door Controls USA, Inc. April 4th (11am-7pm): Waking of the Wines in the Vineyard

All are invited to bring a picnic blanket and foldout chairs and come enjoy a relaxing day in the vineyard with wine, spirits, food, live music, and fun. There will be food trucks, a vineyard opening ceremony, vendor shopping, wine/ spirit tasting, winery or distillery tours (1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5pm), and a ceremony and prayer for the 2020 Vintage at 3:30pm. “Whether you’re coming by to visit for a little bit or hang out all day, we want you to have a Kiepersol experience! We will have a selection of great cocktails, Kiepersol wines, as well as our ‘Vitmosas,’ Sangria, and ‘Vineritas.’” The Restaurant at Kiepersol is open Vine Day by reservation only by calling (903)894-3300. Kiepersol is located at 21558A Merlot Lane, Bullard.

April 9th (6:30-8pm): The 2020 Taste of Tyler

Eat, Drink, Local. Join the 36th Annual Taste of Tyler 2020! Grab your friends and family and enjoy food, drinks, and a live culi- nary competition at this citywide event that showcases the most popular food and bev- erage venues around town. This annual event is brought to you by the East Texas Restaurant Association and benefits East Texas culinary and hospitality stu- dents. Taste of Tyler will be held at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., Tyler. For more info go to tasteoftyler.org, or email etrachapter@gmail.com Tickets are $30 if purchased in advance and $35 at the door. Save the Date April 24th-25th: Arp Strawberry Festival & Street Dance - Join the Community of Arp as they bring back one of the most cel- ebrated and loved traditions of years past! This year’s Straw- berry Festival will include a variety of Quilters and Arts and Crafts vendors along with an Antique Car Show, followed by the Strawberry Street Dance at 6pm featuring the Down Home Band and Food Truck Row on Friday. Saturday, enjoy a day of shopping local vendors and boutiques at the Festival Grounds; and let the kids play and enjoy the Kid Space at the park with bounce houses, games, Kid ID booth, train rides, and more. For more info call (903)530-7490. This is free to attend. May 9th (6-10pm): Edom Art Stroll and Long Table Dinner - Come out for a lovely evening in Edom, Texas! Imagine a spring evening under the stars of East Texas, strolling through art- ists studios and shops while sampling a variety of appetizers and wine; then winding your way back to a field to share food and wine with friends at a long community table in the heart of Edom, Texas. Add a chef-designed menu and the sophisticated sound of soft jazz from musicians Maryah McHam & Martyn Popey to complete an evening not easily forgotten. This magi- cal night will allow 125 guests to help celebrate and support this unique community, their local arts, food and wine. Tickets are $125 each and available at eventbrite.com. More info will be at facebook.com/events/502999893922778/. This will be held at the Edom Arts Festival Grounds. Enter on FM314 and follow the drive to the Complimentary Valet.

March 4th (7:30pm): Enjoy this Unique All-Ages Comedy and Magic with Eric Eaton

The Magic of Eric Eaton is coming to Ran- do’s Comedy Store, 115 W. Front St., Tyler. Eric is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and at age 15 while performing street magic was invited to attend the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Eric has been asked to perform at two Comic Con events in Texas and has had the opportunity to perform magic for many celebrities including Carlos Mencia, Steve Byrne, Lou Ferrigno, Designer, Jay Phar- oah, Emo Philips, and many more. Eric puts on a great show that earns him high praise with his unique blend of magic, charm, and come- dic wit. People referred to his amazing comedic tendencies and his ability with magic to bring the perfect combination for a compelling and entertaining show. From the show’s start to the incredible finish, audience members find them- selves on stage trading barbs with Eric and hav- ing the time of their lives! Be prepared to sit back and laugh at the hilarious and incredible comedy and magic of Eric Eaton or be part of the fun on stage. Tickets are available at facebook.com/ events/394551521147274/ or at eventbrite. com. March 5th (8:30am-3:15pm): EVOLVE Women’s Conference Held at UT Tyler Ornelas Center, 3402 Old Omen Rd., Tyler, this conference is held in conjunction with International Women’s Day with the theme of “Connect, Learn And Grow Professionally And Personally.” Successful women are constantly evolving. They are continually growing stronger, more vibrant, and more determined to live fuller lives. The Evolve Women’s Conference brings women with a growth mindset and positive outlook together for a full day of learning, laughter, and lifting each other up. They believe in women empower- ing women. No matter what stage of life you are in, this conference has something for you. They offer both lifestyle and business track presenta- tions and workshops led by inspirational women covering issues and topics related to life as a 21stcentury woman. You can check out the break- out session descriptions and select your favor- ites at the time of registration at facebook.com/ events/362083857741758/. Tickets are $45 and up and available at 1in3foundation.networkfor- good.com/. March 6th (7-9:30pm): Seniors Mardi Gras Dance

Held at Tyler Senior Center, located at 1915 Garden Valley Rd., Tyler, this will be a great night of Mardi Gras fun for seniors 55 and bet- ter! Come dance the night away during our Mardi Gras Dance! Enjoy live music with Pat- rick Odom, refreshments, and win some door

prizes. Tickets are $5 per person. For more info go to facebook.com/events/623864574842641/ or call the Tyler Senior Center at (903)597- 0781. March 13th (7-9:30pm): Movies in the Park presented by Tyler Athletic and Swim Club Tyler Ath- letic and Swim Club, located at 2767 Oak Creek Blvd., Tyler, will be hosting a free Movie in the Park monthly. Enjoy an inflatable movie theatre with surround sound on the soc- cer field, complimentary for all members. Bring your blankets, chairs, and snacks for this family fun-filled night. Movie to be announced soon at facebook.com/events/2418121565071941/. March 14th (10am-12 noon): Rain Barrel Workshop

Held at Pollard Park, 710 E. Amherst Dr., Tyler, Keep Tyler Beautiful is hosting a Rain Bar- rel Workshop, thanks to support from Project Rain Barrel and Southwest Beverages. Work- shop participants will learn how to put together their own rainwater harvesting barrel that they can take home after the workshop. These rain- water harvesting barrels will be made to work with a gutter system. Tickets for the workshop are $20 per person. For more info or tickets go to eventbrite.com or call (903)595-7217. March 14th-15th: Ben Wheeler Barstool Races Every year, people gather to experience this unique race in Ben Wheeler. People build go-cart type vehicles made from bar- stools and race through town. Vendors, food, music, and lots of entertain- ment surrounds the races. Races begin at 3pm. Music starts at 11am. This event benefits the Ben Wheeler Fire & Rescue and the Edom Fire Department. There will be a kids section as well as lots of vendors and more. Ben Wheeler is located at 1589 FM 279. The races are free to attend and also a super good time! For more info go to benwheelertx.com/. March 17th-18th (6:30pm): “I Am Patrick” Exclusive Movie Premiere

“I Am Patrick” is a feature-length docu- drama that peels back centuries of legend and myth to tell the true story of Saint Patrick. Through historical re-enactments, expert inter- views, and Patrick’s own writings, experience

the journey from man to saint.

In the 5th century, the Roman empire was collapsing, and barbar- ians threatened civiliza- tion. In Britain, a teen- ager named Patrick was living a comfortable life as the son of a govern- ment official. Despite being part of the Roman Catholic Church, his faith didn’t mean anything to him until he was kidnapped by pirates at the age of 16 and enslaved at the edge of the known world - Ire- land. For 6 years, Patrick was forced to work as a shepherd and was driven to the brink of star- vation. It was there that he turned to his Chris- tian faith and through divine intervention man- aged to escape. He was reunited with his family in Britain only to have a prophetic dream call- ing him to take Christianity back to the land of his captivity. Against the wishes of his family and the Church, Patrick returned as a mission- ary bishop to Ireland and converted thousands to Christianity. He opposed slavers, Irish kings, and possibly druids but nothing compared to the hostility he faced from his fellow Christians. After a close friend exposed a dark secret of Pat- rick’s, it is believed he was ordered to leave his mission and return to Britain. Patrick had to choose - obey God or obey man?

This will be shown at Times Square Cinema, located at 5201 S. Broadway, Tyler. Tickets are available at tylermovies.com/tickets/. March 19th (11am-1pm): Women in Tyler Luncheon Over the years Women in Tyler has hon- ored women elected officials, women who have been pioneers in their fields, women’s organi- zations, women in the arts, women in business, women who are building legacies, women who have inspired, and women with passion. This year, they are honoring women who turned the tables. This luncheon is where honorees are recognized and given a special certificate from the Governor. It is attended by over 300 women and men each year. This will be held at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler. Tickets are $30 and more info is available at facebook.com/ events/334708510748410/. March 27th-29th (times vary): 2020 Heaton Hope Open Come join the fun at this Charity Ten- nis Tournament benefiting Living Alterna- tives, which offers hope and assistance to young women facing unplanned pr egnancies. Register to play or sponsor at hopeopen.org. You can also watch the tournament from the stands in sup - port of this wonderful cause. With Adult and J unior levels of play, including Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles, be prepared for a com - petitive tennis all-in-one tournament. Special

F riday night activities will be held for players and their families. For information about this amaz- ing organization go to livingalternatives.org. In 1996, D r. Charles Heaton combined his pas- sion for tennis and helping people by starting the H ope Open Tennis Tournament. Since then, the Heaton Hope Open has become one of the best tennis tournaments in the state of Texas. Ten - nis enthusiasts from across Texas take part in the tournaments highly competitiv e adult and junior levels events. This well-run tournament has all the perks that tournaments provide: great food, family activities throughout the weekend, fun games, and a competitive tennis all-in-one tour - nament. More info is available at hopeopen.org. March 28th (7am-1pm): Spring Community Sale

Held at Glass Recreation Center, 501 32nd St., Tyler, this Community Wide Sale is a thrift- er’s heaven! This city-wide garage sale is open to the public. Shoppers will be able to find clothes, decorative items, furniture, books, toys, and so much more. Admission is free. Vendor booths are available for $20 per booth. For more info, call (903)595-7271, email DIsham@tylertexas. com, or go to TylerParksandRec.com. April 7th (6pm), 9th (6pm), and 11th (12:25pm): “Jesus” Movie Premiere at Times Square Cinema

This movie was filmed in front of a live audi- ence! Produced by Sight & Sound, this is a spec- tacular original production now coming to the big screen. Experience the greatest rescue story of all time as the Bible comes to life in the the- ater for a special Easter event. Times Square Cin- ema is located at 5201 S. Broadway, Tyler. Tick- ets are available at tylermovies.com/tickets/. April 13thMay 1st: Tyler Corporate Challenge The Corpo- rate Challenge is BACK! This event is designed to bring local businesses together to offer opportunities for networking with other professionals and to engage in friendly competition. Thirteen ath- letic and non-athletic events are being offered. Tyler’s Corporate Challenge strives to be inclu- sive to businesses of all sizes for participation in the following events: 5K Run (Men/Women), Co-Ed Basketball, Corn Hole, Darts, Dodge- ball, Dominoes, Disc Golf, Horse Shoes, Co-Ed Kickball, Ping Pong, Bowling, Trivia, and Co-Ed Volleyball. Beginning with a $50 entry fee per company, each event has a small addi- tional fee that corresponds with the type of event that companies can choose from. Registration is open to the public at TylerCorporateChallenge. com with sponsorship packages available to all companies. The registration deadline is March 21st. Registration is now open at facebook.com/ events/2634566360155406/ or call (903)531- 1374.

Living Their Best Life: 2nd Childhood By Johnny Griffith

Childhood is typically a time associated with fun and laughter, and usually great memories when we think back on it. As we grow older, we don’t necessarily have bad times, in fact we still make great memories, but we typically look back on those times in childhood as some of our best memories and wish we could relive those days. Well, there is a duo from East Texas who are doing their best to make this time of their life just as fun as those childhood days. So much so that they’re even calling the band 2nd Childhood.

A pairing up of Tim Letsch on drums and Scott Garrison (Scotty G) on keys, 2nd Child - hood serves as a creative conduit for these two friends who w ere both originally from the Metro- plex, but got to East Texas as fast as they could and ar e finding themselves on more and more stages in the area.

I was able to catch up to them this month to get a little more info on 2nd Childhood.

Johnny: So what do you guys do when you’re not on stage?

Scotty G: Tim is the lead pastor of his own church, Crossroads Community Church of Lindale.

I was a worship leader for over 23 years and just recently retired from that profession. Johnny: How did you two first meet? Scotty G: Tim preached (as a guest speaker) one night for the youth group that I was leading worship for at Christ Central Church in Lindale, Texas. I later found out he was an incredible drummer and had him sit in with me a few times when he was available. It was as if we could read each other’s minds musically!

Johnny: How did you each get started in music, and give us a quick summary of your musi - cal experience before 2nd Childhood.

Scotty G: The day I was being born, F ebru- ary 29, 1960, my dad bought a little Les Paul Jr. guitar that looked exactly like a mini v ersion of his Fender Melody Maker guitar. When I was four years old, he sat down and taught me the 4-5 chords that he knew. I fell in love with it! By the time I was 6 years old, I was showing my dad complex riffs that I had been teaching myself. Guitar became a huge part of me. While other kids in my neighborhood were sniffing glue and smoking pot, I was writing puppy-love songs to the girls at my elementary and Jr. high schools. I began playing organ at the age of 9, drums by 12, and was producing my own multitracks by using two cassette tape recorders side by side. I would record the drum track on one machine, then play along with that recording while adding guitar onto the other cassette recorder and repeated this process till all the instruments and vocals were laid down. The quality of the finished product was just awful, but the songs were well received. I started playing piano and singing at Tony Romas House of Ribs in Dallas, Texas in 1979. Every check I got I would spend on a new piece of musical gear. I started out using their piano and after a couple of years I had acquired two more keyboards (play - ing bass on one of them with my left hand), a four track tape r ecorder, (for when I wanted to play guitar), and a huge sound system that would eas - ily put me in the hospital today if I tried to move

it. H owever, by 1985, I would be moving that stuff around to NINE gigs every week! I played gigs at six differ - ent locations and play ed seven nights a week and two afternoons. Tim: Well, I started sing - ing when I was fiv e, and in spite of several attempts by many people to get me to shut up, I am still singing (totally kidding!). I, in all seri- ousness, started in church at age five singing. I tried instr uments when I was younger, but was always too hyper to focus. I concentrated on sing- ing through my high school years. I even quit the football team to join choir . The coach wasn’t too happy with me. I went to a school called South- western Assemblies of God University (AKA SA GU) and majored in Vocal Performance. I trav- elled the country with a college group called the H arvesters. While I was at SAGU, I got inspired to learn the piano. It was a total God thing. I had wasted so many opportunities to learn, and I asked God if He would allow me to have one more shot. To this day, I know He birthed the desire in my heart and gave me focus to learn. So at age 17, I locked myself in a practice room and didn’t come out until I knew I could play a cou - ple of tunes. That led to me leading worship in the dorms for a while. I took a y outh pastor job in the summer of my 17th year, and eventually took a Music Director spot at a church when I turned 20. There was one Sunday when a drum- mer didn’t show up to play (I was about 21 years old), and the team needed a dr ummer, so I prac- ticed for a while and filled in the best that I could. I got a taste for dr umming and never put it down. I picked up a little guitar and bass, and started a contemporary Christian band called Fadestrange. We put out two projects, and then broke up, mainly due to people moving away. You can still find our project “Back There Again” on Spotify and iTunes. My first “professional” gig was with an oldies band called Bongo & The Point. Right around the time I left that band, I met Scotty helping him out with worship, and it was an incredible time filled with musical chemistry. Like he said, “It was like we could read each oth - er’s minds.” We’ve been playing music with one another in some capacity ev er since. We both took a dueling piano job, and wound up gigless. I play drums and sing now for a living. If you would have told me that even 10 years ago, I would have laughed in your face in disbelief.

Johnny: When did the idea of you two start- ing a two-man wonderband first come up? T im: I think Scotty had an offer in Lindale to play a solo gig. He asked me to join him and it went so well, we decided to pursue it further.

Johnny: What was behind the decision to just go with a two musician lineup?

Tim: I don’t think we ever set out to keep it a two man lineup, it just sort of happened that way. We haven’t really needed a third due to Scotty’s mad bass skills on his left hand. When the situa - tion calls for it, we have brought in a bass player, but w e just haven’t needed the third that often. It has been to our advantage, though. You can play for a lot less money, and fit into a lot tighter spaces than a four or five piece band can.

Johnny: And the name? Whose idea was that? Scotty G: That was my idea. We’re both born again Christians with a second chance at life, but we’re also reliving our childhood by playing great old songs that we grew up with. Most of those songs bring back fond memories for people our age and a little older. I had actually formed a three piece band years earlier with the name 2nd Child - hood, but when I was offered a good paying, full time position as a pianist at a dueling piano bar , I couldn’t say no. The band went one way and I went the other. Soon after that, I would realize that I had made a very poor decision and wound up with no job after a few months. But the other guys graciously brought me back into the band, now named The Tuxedo Cats which Tim and I are both proudly a part of to this day.

Johnny: You guys have a pretty eclectic mix of sounds in your extensive catalog, but if you had to categorize yourselves, where would you say your wheelhouse is, sound-wise?

Scotty G: I would call us a Baby Boomer Dance Band. We don’t really appeal to college age kids much. They don’t seem to relate to awesome lyrics, great chord changes, and stuff you can eas - ily sing along to. But I guess every generation of musicians befor e me probably said the same thing...“These kids today!”

Tim: We have just grown up with these tunes that we are playing. They are a part of us. It’s hard to pour yourself into a song when you don’t iden - tify with it. I think that goes both ways…for the ar tists playing and the audience listening. If it doesn’t speak your musical language, you aren’t going to be able to understand it. That being said, there are songs that we do play that col - lege age kids love. Artists like Mumford & Sons, E d Sheeran, Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, George Ezra…but they are songs that we as perform - ers can identify with and put ourselves into. We hav e nothing against the other artists, we just have preferences like everyone else does.

Johnny: Are you ever trying to mix in any originals?

Scotty G: I do some of my old country origi - nal stuff from time to time, but most of my origi- nal songs are contemporary Christian. I was a worship leader for so many y ears, I can really only write about my first love, Christ.

Tim: I empathize with Scotty. The only thing that ever comes out of me when I write original tunes is Christian music. I have even tried to write love songs for my wife and I can’t. The songs just end up being a love song to Jesus.

Johnny: About how many shows does the band try to play a month?

Scotty G: We are the house duo every Wednesday night at Texas Music City Grill (formally Coyote Sam’s) in Tyler and every Thurs - day night at Texas Music City Grill in Lindale. We also wor k with the Tuxedo Cats every Friday and Saturday night. On top of that, I play several solo gigs at retirement homes all over Tyler. So for 2nd Childhood, it’s a steady eight gigs per month, but I’m doing about 25-30 gigs every month.

Johnny: Any challenges specific to having just two members on stage?

Scotty G: We haven’t come across one yet! Tim: I mean obviously it’s difficult when someone asks for Bohemian Rhapsody with just two guys. We just can’t, and won’t, even try. We love the tune, but it just isn’t meant for a two piece band. Other than that, we haven’t found many musical mountains that we aren’t willing to climb as a two member band.

Johnny: Are most of the gigs in the East Texas area or do you travel out of the area at all?

Scotty G: Most of our gigs are right here in Tyler and Lindale, but if the money’s right...have keyboard and drums...will travel!

Johnny: What are you most proud of, as a band, at this point into it?

Scotty G: Our friendship is first and foremost. Tim: I wholeheartedly agree! Scotty G: I know if I lost both my arms and couldn’t play music anymore, Tim would duct tape a kazoo to my face and figure out a way we could still work together. Tim is a great musician, and an even better friend.

Tim: We both want our friendship to show the faithfulness of the wonderful God we serve; I am most proud of that. Yes, I got my big break from my buddies in Bongo and the Point, but it was Scotty that introduced me to the boys in the Tuxedo Cats. If it wasn’t for Scotty, I don’t think I would be playing professionally. Scotty is my best friend on and off the stage. We believe in and trust one another. That is something that I am also extremely proud of.

Johnny: What has been your favorite moment, on stage or off, as a duo so far?

Scotty G: 7pm every Wednesday and Thurs - day night! That’s the time we take the stage and look out at the same die har d fans who never dis- appoint, plus a few new faces every week. J ohnny: What is in the works for 2020? Scotty G: Tim tells me he wants to start writ- ing again, so we may have a little something put together this y ear. Finding the time between gigs is my biggest challenge but you’ll never hear me complain about that.

Tim: Yeah, I am getting the itch to write and record again. We definitely plan on developing the awesome relationship that we have with Tyler and surrounding areas. We love this area! We love the people! We are so excited for what the future holds, and you never know, an original project may be on the way, but until then we would love to entertain you every Wednesday at Texas Music City Grill in Tyler’ and Thursday at Texas Music City in Lindale, formerly known as Love & War at 7pm.

Johnny: What experience do you hope first timers will have at one of your shows?

Tim: We want everyone who comes to have a blast. We love to see smiles and laughter. We want first timers to experience good music and a friendly couple of guys that they can relate to. There are so many incredibly talented bands out there, we are just one of the many. We know peo - ple have a choice when it comes to entertainment. W e want first timers to experience the apprecia- tion we have for every person that comes to hear us, and to leav e a little, or a lot happier than when they came.

Check out 2nd Childhood at facebook. com/2ndChildhoodtheband/.