Flu Shots Available Tomorrow at Senior Center

According to an announcement posted on the bulletin board outside the grocery store downtown, flu shots will be available at the Senior Citizen Center, tomorrow, October 21, 2009, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 12:00 Noon, or until all available vaccine is gone. Claims will be submitted for those who have Medicare Part B; others will be charged $20 for the vaccine. Hopefully, residents who have not yet received the flu vaccine will take this opportunity to get it.

Code Enforcement in Van Alstyne

It looks as if Van Alstyne is taking code enforcement seriously. I understand the city has two code enforcement officers who are cruising around town looking for city code violations and hopefully issuing citations - a positive step in getting things cleaned up around town. I hope to see some of my own concerns addressed, including citations given to homeowners who have an accumulation of life's castaway possessions on porches and in the yard. Add to that issue an apparent lack of concern by homeowners and the owners of vacant lots to keep grass and weeds mowed below the limit set by the city.

I am hoping for the best.

Blog Action Day 2009/Climate Change

Climate change is something most of us believe in, and the rest don't believe at all. But the results of climate change actually manifest themselves often in our daily lives here in North Texas.

The severe storms that plague this part of North Texas are a very good example of this manifestation. And it seems that in recent years, the storms are more frequent and more severe, often even deadly. Not only do we experience strong thunder that can be frightening and lightening shows that are truly amazing, we experience heavy winds, severe hail, and cold, heavy rain that follow the storm systems. Damaging tornadoes and flooding are frequently the by-products of these storms.

A less threatening and more interesting result of our severe North Texas storms is the depositing of sand and soil swept into the rain by the wind and dropped on North Texas. An example of this phenomenon is the "red water" that stands in the birdbath in our yard after a rainstorm. The water in that birdbath after a storm is as red as the rock formations that dot the landscape in the western part of our state.

Recently, I have seen something else that was "blown in by the storm." Varieties of weeds are growing in local yards, vacant lots, and pastures around the county that are not native to this area. It's almost as if we have been infested with foreign weed varieties, at least some that are not common in this particular portion of the state. And after last week's monsoons, another type of infestation is occurring. North Texas residents are relating stories about sharing their homes, at least for a short time, with crickets, brown recluse spiders, and fire ants looking for drier homes - just another effect of our region's long-lasting and severe weather systems.

What can we do about climate change?

We can be better stewards of our planet. For starters, we can conserve energy and recycle more. I am surprised that the City of Van Alstyne did include a curbside recycle program, separate from household waste, when the current five-year contract was let two years ago.

We can also teach our children and grandchildren to be be better stewards. Include environmental education in classes beginning in elementary school. Educate them about conservation and recycling. Teach them that pollution has a price, one that everyone must share.

After all, this is our planet, and we are its caretakers.

School Buses and Cell Phones

No, this post is not about students talking on cell phones while riding in school buses. It's about school bus drivers talking on cell phones while driving buses.

If you are like me, you probably think that school bus drivers shoulder quite a responsibility and should be using both hands while driving that large piece of machinery that carries a precious cargo - our children.

But what I saw today made me wonder.

This afternoon, shortly after elementary school had been dismissed, we were driving south on Highway 5, just north of Village Parkway. As we slowed down to enter the school zone, a school bus that apparently had just left the Van Alstyne Elementary School, drove past us, headed north on Highway 5. What I saw made me quite upset - the driver of that bus appeared to be using a cell phone . And what made me more upset was that we noticed because she was veering over the double yellow line.

Does the Van Alstyne I.S.D. have a rule in place that prohibits school bus drivers from using cell phones while they are driving the buses?

If not, one should be.

Anti-Socialism Advocates in Van Alstyne

While I was driving through town just last week, I spotted some yard signs that indicate a few local residents feel the need to advise others that socialism may be overtaking our country. And I suspect that some of these individuals may also be proponents of the so-called "tea parties" that were held recently in various parts of the state.

During this time of widespread unemployment when traffic has increased in local coffee shops everywhere, particularly in small towns such as this, I can almost guarantee you that folks are talking about the lack of health care, most likely because they can't afford it, and how much doctors visits and medicine cost.

Why is it that proposed health care reform in this country has created a counter-culture of grass roots anti-government groups eager to undermine any kind of social improvements our lawmakers suggest, even help with their own health care concerns?

Will Van Alstyne Ever Have a Walmart??

At least once a week, we drive fifteen miles, one way, to go shopping. And it during these trips that I ask myself this question: Will Van Alstyne ever have a Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, or a chain retail outlet of any kind? Although we do have several chain restaurants, albeit fast food varieties, we have no chain retail outlets.

The price of gas has gone down considerably since this time a year ago, but there is still wear and tear on the car and the time factor that must be considered when driving thirty miles round trip to buy something simple, but necessary.

Wouldn't a Neighborhood Walmart be the answer? The store is smaller than the larger "big box" type store, has a smaller parking area, and keeps signage to a minimum. Yes, it would have grocery, pharmacy, and hardware items that might affect sales at local businesses that now have a monopoly on those types of items. But when local shopping choices are a grocery store that has infrequent perishable item deliveries and small, locally owned stores, i.e., pharmacy and hardware, with limited inventories, it is very difficult to only shop at stores in downtown Van Alstyne.

Maybe it's time for the city government and residents to consider Walmart, neighborhood or otherwise, and I for one, will support it.

Fall.....It's Just Around the Corner

Today has been a gray day, with low-lying clouds blanketing the area. Although we haven't had rain since the light mist this morning, all afternoon it has looked as if it could rain at any time. The cooler weather is slowing the growth of most flowering plants left from the summer, and it's beginning to feel like fall. Soon, I hope to get some pansies planted for some color this winter. Overall, this has been a great afternoon for lighting the fireplace and staying inside with a good book!

More later.......

Welcome to The View From Van Alstyne!

On this blog, I plan to post a variety of articles about life in Van Alstyne, Texas. Some articles will be about subjects that are light-hearted and fun, while others will be about serious topics that may be of interest to residents. Occasionally, I will be posting photos of scenes around town and the countryside. And sometimes, I may throw in a little history and genealogy. Also, look for links from this blog to other blogs and websites that contain information about the Van Alstyne area.

I hope you will visit here often and leave comments if you choose to do so.