Arlington Texas Attractions.com

A tribute to our friend - Gene Patrick

This is a sad time.  Gene Patrick, a great friend to Arlington has passed away. 

I first met Gene when we were young children, living in River Oaks, just a few houses from each other.  Then again, many years later, when he stood up to the City of Arlington over a condemnation dispute.  That dispute seemed to ignite Gene's calling to public service.

From then on, Gene was to become a voice for the people.  Gene loved people, public service, music, the arts, downtown Arlington, a wide variety of hobbies, his family, and God.  Gene's generosity of time and money has molded and influenced many lives and much of what we see in Arlington today, especially in downtown Arlington. 

Gene was a big thinker.  And, a big dreamer, too.  During the twelve years we spent together on the Planning and Zoning Commission and on the City Council, I was witness to many of his plans and dreams come to fruition.  Gene could make things happen.  And, he did.

My wife would often remind me that Gene was the smartest person on City Council.  I tried not to take an offense at that, since I was there, too.  But, I knew what she meant. 

Gene could see the big picture, find the best path, and lead us in the right direction.  If you ever spent an evening with Gene at his favorite restaurant, then you know what I mean.

We will miss you, Gene.

Having Fun at The Parks at Arlington Mall

Hi!  Ever need to entertain a kid?  For a whole day, and on a budget?  Well, here's the place.  They don't come any bigger, or better, or more family or budget friendly.  It's The Parks at Arlington Mall.

So, presenting here for the first time anywhere: my granddaughter's list of the kid-tested, fun things to do and see at The Parks Mall.  Think of this as your complete guide for having fun at The Parks Mall.

Your price for all this entertainment?  Mostly, cheap to free.  Like I said, it's budget friendly.  And, walking miles to see all these places...in air-conditioned comfort...Priceless!

Not counting shopping, which is fun for all of us, here are the top ten kid-fun things at The Parks Mall.

Top Ten Kid-Fun Things at The Parks Mall

#10.  AMC Movie Theatre.  But, only when kid movies are showing.  For showtimes, click this link, Arlington Movie Theatres & Showtimes.

#9.  The Food Court.  This one makes any kid's list.  They got cheese pizza here.  Pretty good, too.

#8.  Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream.  Of course, you should eat your pizza first.  Then dessert is right around the corner from the food court, on the way to the movie theatre.  For all the other ice cream shops in town, click this link, Arlington Ice Cream Shops.

#7.  Disney Store.  Fun to just wander thru and look around.  But, I'm not sure if it's more fun for the adults or the kids.

#6.  Ice Skating Rink.  Lots of fun for the bigger kids.  But, always fun for everyone to watch.  Got birthday parties here, too.

#5.  The Carousel.  Great kid fun, and close to the food and ice cream.  Birthday parties here, too.

#4.  Climbing Wall at Dick's Sporting Goods.  Definitely for the younger folks.

#3.  Build-A-Bear Workshop.  Probably the most fun kid store at the Mall, and they offer birthday parties.  For more Arlington birthday party places, click this link, Kid's Birthday Party Places

#2.  Barnes & Noble Book Store.  They have a great kid's section with seating and a stage.  And, Starbucks can whip up some really nice kid drinks.  For all the other book stores in town, click this link, Arlington Book Stores & Libraries. 

And, now the absolute most kid-fun place of all at The Parks Mall...

#1.  Sorry, they don't have it anymore.  It was the interactive popcorn and stuff that was projected onto the floor.  Kids would play, stomp and dance endlessly on the projected images.  Too bad that you missed it.

So, here is an alternate for #1...no it's not sitting on a bench to rest your weary feet...

Alternate #1.  Kid's Play Area.  A real treat for the little ones.  Unlimited running, and jumping, and crawling, and climbing, and making lots of new friends.  This was #1 all the time.  I just wanted to have some fun with the Mall folks.  The Play Area is located on the ground level next to the ice rink.

Here are a few interesting Parks Mall highlights:

• they have family restrooms, and a carpeted waiting area with lounge chairs,
• during the Holidays they have a 2-story Christmas tree,
• they have two Starbucks!, 
• the Mall and the City have made substantial public safety investments in and around the Mall, making The Parks Mall one of the safest places in the region,
• the Parks Mall is a model corporate citizen.  Always answering yes to any request by the City for assistance in communicating important information to their patrons, and
• with millions of visitors every year, The Parks Mall is Arlington's largest attraction!

So, there are lots of reasons to feel good about your next visit to The Parks Mall.  We sure do.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

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Having Fun at the Arlington Highlands Mall

If you haven't yet discovered the Arlington Highlands Mall then you are in for a real treat.  The place is packed with great merchants, great restaurants, and a great movie theatre (Studio Movie Grill).  Better yet, Phase II of the Highlands is underway.  To see some of these new attractions, check this page, Announced New Attractions.

This outside, lifestyle mall is one of our favorite places, especially for my granddaughter and I.  It has everything we like.  A PetsMart, a Borders Book Store, and a Cold Stone Creamery.  But mainly, it's the wonderful water feature that keeps drawing us back again and again. 

For trips to the Highlands, our routine is set.  First, we visit the PetsMart, spending a little time with every single creature. Then its to the water feature.  There, our hours pass too quickly.  And, we are never alone.  People love this water setting.  It is peace amidst the storm.  So peaceful, it is where a man walks his dog, children play, ladies dangle their feet in the water, and I brush up on my long forgotten yo-yo skills.

Next, comes Borders.  Now, it is time to get down to some serious shopping.  And, they just happen to have a very nice kid's section, too.  When our work is done, it is time for a reward - a nice stroll down to the Cold Stone Creamery.  Naturally, we (and everyone else) enjoy our ice cream while sitting on one of the benches that line the water feature. 

Another short stroll and we are in the car headed to our next great adventure.  With slight alteration, you can turn our routine into a strolling dinner and movie (at the same place), ice cream, and water feature date with your significant other.

It is a really nice place to be busy and unwind all at the same time.  You can locate the Highlands on my Major Area Attractions map.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Experiences - The Fourth of July Parade

This is the first year in several that I have gotten to watch Arlington's Fourth of July Parade.  For the previous eight, I and Lavell and Hannah rode in the parade on Fire Engine #1 with my City Council colleagues.  Hannah, thanks to Councilman Gene Patrick, got to ride again this year.  That means she has participated in the parade on Fire Engine #1 every year of her young life.  A record, I'm sure.

The day starts early.  City Hall at about 7:00 AM for breakfast.  That is longtime parade volunteer organizer Lynda Freeman chatting with former Mayor Elzie Odom.  The decorations are plentiful, and the atmosphere is as patrotic as can be.  The volunteers are pretty perky - this is a day they have worked hard for, really hard. 

Riding on that fire engine was one of the highlights of my Council service.  Waving to the great crowds (around 30,000) of well-wishing, parade loving patriots was uplifting.  There are babies, children, teens, adults, and elderly of every color, race and ethnicity.  Dogs, too.  This is America, ain't it great!  I would wave, and they would, too.  In fact, over the course of the parade I would have to change waving arms several times, rotating from one tired arm to the other and back.  It was pretty hot, too.  I'm sure glad I had the priviledge.

Today's was the 2008 43rd Annual Parade.  There were 125 entrants.  About right compared to a few years ago when there were 180.  It is hard to appreciate the countless hours that volunteers give to make this parade a reality every year, year after year.  So, from this little corner comes a great big Thank You! for all your years of serving our community and the parade lover in all of us.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Experiences - Sam's Westside Weekend Getaway

Alright, I haven't really had this experience, but I have thought about it alot.  So, work with me on this one.  OK?  Anyway, I'll bet there are plenty of people around who have had this Arlington experience.  (Even if they won't admit it.)

You know how couples are always sneaking off for those romantic weekend getaways?  They go to Grapevine to that big new hotel-resort (can't remember its name).  Or, to that big city to the east (can't remember its name, either).  And, there they spend tons of money - enough to spoil anybody's romantic weekend.

Well, here is the good news - you don't have to leave Arlington to have your romantic weekend getaway.  It is right here under your nose.  Been here a long time, too.  Just down the street.

Your romantic Arlington weekend getaway starts right here - at the Lester Motel.  That's right, down the street on West Division.  Now, if the name sounds familiar, it should.  It's Lester, as in Sam Lester, as in Catfish Sam's .  Sam's parents bought a big tract of land here in the 50's.  So, all you have to do is check-in at the Lester, then walk next door to some of the most heavenly, most tasty, most romantic catfish this side of the Mississippi.

If you are really lucky, you will get to meet Sam's Pinto Beanman.  You might even get to walk with him from the motel.  He and his wife have lived in the same Lester Motel room for thirty years.  It is the Pinto Beanman's job to cook those delicious, bottomless pinto beans.  Of course, Pinto Beanman is not his real name.  We have to protect his true identity, because he would obviously be a hostage target (Sam's has a lot of competitors).

But, wait.  Your weekend is only beginning.  Next door to Catfish Sam's is Stumpy's Blues Bar (all on Lester family property).  Now, you and yours can party until the wee hours.  When you are ready to call it quits, it's just a short crawl to the sack.  There you have it - beans, blues and bed on a budget.  In fact, this whole romantic weekend probably cost less than the gas to drive to any of those other places.

Say, thanks Steve.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Having Fun at the Lincoln Square Mall

We have all been admonished to slow down, to stop and smell the roses.  Sometimes we do.  Don't we?  Or, maybe you think our city is just too big and bustling for any peace and quite.  Sometimes it is.  But, there are moments and places where the roses will leap out. 

Arlington Experiences will be a series of articles about my moments and places.  Where for little time, effort or expense any of us can slow down and experience the joy of living in, or visiting Arlington, Texas.  Here is my first installment.

I remember many years ago when Lincoln Square was a dirt field.  The developer was truly visionary.  Today, Lincoln Square is and has always been what many others aspire to be, a lifestyle center.  Here, within a short walking distance of each other are three of my favorite places - Marble Slab Creamery, Half Price Books, and the Bronze Horses Sculpture Fountain. 

Now, you can visit these three places in any order, and the result is always the same.  You have stopped to smell the roses.  So, be sure to bring the kids.  And, a camera.  There are great pictures to be had around the Fountain.  Then check out the kid's clearance section at Half Price Books.  There you will find dozens of books for only $1 each.  Golden Books are only 50-cents.  Marble Slab Creamery is about ice cream.  Any flavor will do.

Ice cream, bronze horses in a water fountain, and 50-cent Golden Books...life is really good.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

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