What to do In Bryan/College Station on July 4th, 2009

So, July 4th is upon us again. It’s hot, no sign of the heat lessening, and everything seems to be outside of the 4th, so be careful, wear sunscreen, drink lots of water, you know, all that safety stuff.

As far as fireworks, there’s a burn ban in effect, so you’ll have to ask the fireworks merchants what the restrictions are.

So, we haven’t decided what we’re going to do, but there are plenty of things to do this year. I’ve done a bit of research and found some great, fun sounding activities for Independence day. Some of you might actually be in the same place as me this weekend.

I’ll start with the Tried and True events that happen every year:

George Bush Library

For the tenth year, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum will host the College Station Lions Club’s annual Fourth of July Celebration, “I Love America.” This is the 49th year for this community event. The Museum will open at 9:30 a.m. and extend their hours until 8:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum on the Fourth of July is free for everyone all day. Historical characters will be mingling with the crowd to pose for photographs and answer questions about their distinguished careers. Live entertainment, concessions, and games for the children will all begin at 5:30 p.m. The evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display and concert by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. People are encouraged to come early and bring their lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Please no glass containers!

Parking is available to the public at the West Campus Parking Garage on the Texas A&M University campus. Shuttles will begin running at 4:30 p.m. from the garage to the Museum. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 41 in front of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum entrance.

For more information, please call (979) 691-4068.

Washington on the Brazos

Celebrate America’s independence on the site where Texas declared her independence!  Enjoy a full day of festivities on Tuesday, July 4th at the “Birthplace of Texas,” Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.  Admission to the Park is free, and activities will be held from 10:00a.m. until 10:00p.m.

Children can participate in period games from the late 1800’s beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Free Blue Bell ice cream and free Coca-Cola drinks will be served at 7:00p.m. At 8:00p.m. relax with a picnic and listen to the Houston Symphonic Band perform patriotic favorites. The highlight of the celebration begins at approximately 9:15p.m. when HEB presents Fireworks-on-the-Brazos – an enormous fireworks extravaganza that can be viewed from all locations within the 293 acre park.

Visitors can tour historic sites within the park during the day, including Barrington Living History Farm, Independence Hall, and the Star of the Republic Museum.  Regular admission/tour fees apply. Call 936-878-2214 for tour hours and fees.

Food vendors will offer a variety of food choices on-site.  Visitors may wish to bring picnics, blankets or lawn chairs, and flashlights.  State park rules apply; alcohol prohibited.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located halfway between Brenham and Navasota on State Hwy. 105, approximately one hour northwest of Houston.  Directions and more information are available by calling 936-878-2214.

Family Movie Opening this week: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs…Opening Wednesday the 1st of July…here are more movie times. Looks like it’s in 3D. We watched Bolt in 3D And it was pretty cool. Toy Story 3 is gonna be 3D. Up is still playing…if you haven’t watched Up, go watch that. I cried within the first 30 minutes…great movie. We didn’t watch it in 3D, but I heard it was really fantastic in 3D.

Here are some other things that might interest you:

Soggy Bottom ATV Ranch

Independence Day, Picnic at the Lake [more]
* Come hang out, listen to music and enjoy all the activities, celebrating the birth of our proud nation.
* 4 on 4 Water Volleyball Tournament, Prizes to be given.
* Washers Tournament
* Free hot dogs and sodas while supplies last.
* Bring your fireworks and let’s have a blast!
* Regular park hours, gates will open at 8 AM on Thursday and close Sunday at dark.
* Normal Park Rates Apply
* Mud Races

Live Music:

Stafford Downtown Bryan: Reverend J Goodin and Bulletproof Brown – 9pm

Other Events:

Aquablast at the Bryan Aquatic Center. Celebrating their 25th Birthday from 1-7pm $3 admission.  For more information call 979-209-5222

Triumph Homeschool Community: 4th of July Picnic! Cornerstone Acres, 5105 Wallis Road beginning 6:30 p.m. [more]

Traditions Club House: Food and Fun. Live music by Elmo Weedon (Traditions memebers only)

JJ’s Snow Cones: Don’t forget to stop by to get an ice cold yummy snow cone.

5th of July

Texas World Speedway: Fireworks, Miata Ride Along, Vintage Indy Car races, Burn out contest, 5K Fun Run. Check it out.

Have fun!

Bryan, College Station Election Day 2008 Results

Pretty much accross the board, the Brazos Valley voted for McCain.

Here’s a quote from the Eagle:

…more than 58,567 Brazos County residents voted in Tuesday’s election for the nation’s 44th president. Of those voters, more than 20,459, or 35 percent, voted for Obama, while John McCain received 37,403, or 64 percent of the ballots.

Those numbers aren’t surprising in a community that’s home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum as well as Texas A&M, nor were the local results rare for a state that traditionally votes conservative.

Across the Bryan-College Station area Tuesday, many kept up with the televised exit polls and news reports that had Obama leading almost all day. Race was hardly mentioned, though. Instead, residents talked about a need for a change in the way the U.S. government is run and the way economic policies are carried out.

Although more local residents voted Republican than Democrat this year, many interviewed by The Eagle on Election Day expressed excitement over the race and a desire for a president who would improve what’s in place now.

Brazos County Clerk Karen McQueen said 58,567 of the county’s 93,000 registered voters cast ballots this round. That’s about the same number that voted in 2004. Obama garnered 5 percentage points more than the Democratic presidential candidate in that presidential election.

Election officials had expected high turnout Tuesday because a record-breaking number of people had cast ballots during early voting. Of the 34,136 who voted during the weeks before Election Day, 62.77 percent voted for McCain and 36.19 percent voted for Obama.

Here are the proposition results:

For:

Proposition 1 – The issuance of a $48,785,000 tax bonds and notes for street and transportation improvements.

Proposition 2 – The issuance of a $8,385,000 tax bonds and notes for library improvements.

Proposition 3 – The issuance of a $6,990,000 tax bonds and notes for fire safety improvements.

Proposition 4 – The issuance of $12,790,000 tax bonds and notes for parks or other recreational improvements.

Against:

Proposition 5 – The issuance of $7,050,000 tax bonds and notes for constructing and equipping a community center.

Proposition 6 – The issuance of $26,300,000 tax bonds and notes for constructing and equipping a city hall.

Ben & Jerry’s

On another note, I tried to take my family to Ben & Jerry’s, but the line was wrapping around the fountain. That was crazy. There had to be a few hundred people out there. Were any of you out there? How long were you in line? Did they run out of ice cream?

Starbuck’s

I most definitely got a free coffee from Starbuck’s.

jorge

Bond Election November 4th

Early voting is from October 20th through the 31st. If you vote early, you don’t need to go to your regular polling station. The early voting stations are as follows:

Brazos County Courthouse – 300 E. 29th
Arena Hall – Tabor Rd & N. Earl Rudder
Galilee Baptist Church – 804 N. Logan
Grace Bible Church – 101 Harvey Mitchell
Memorial Student Center – Campus

Here’s a google map with these locations.

Most of these places will be open from 8:00am to at least 5:00PM. More info here.

So, along with goverment official voting, there are some propositions we need to vote about.

Proposition 1: Streets and transportation – Proposing $48,785,000 for various street and transportation projects, including: an extension of Jones Butler road to accommodate for Student traffic, new traffic signals throughout the city, extending Victoria Drive, Barron Road widening, Hike Bike Trail Completion, extension of Barron Road, installing sidewalks throughout the city, widening Rock Prairie Rd West, Lick Creek Hike Bike Trail construction and University Dr. Pedestrian Improvements.

Proposition 2: Library Improvements – $8,385,000 for expanding parking and adding a 15,256 sq ft extension at Larry J. Ringer Library.

Proposition 3: Fire Safety Improvements – $6,990,000 for building Fire Station #6 at University and Tarrow.

Proposition 4: Park improvements – $12,790,000 for park building improvements including Creekview Neighborhood Park, various other park needs, Lincoln Center addition of parking spaces, pavillion, backstop and an 8,000-10,000 sq ft extension, and Central Park Improvements. Also including more money for Lick Creek (see prop 1), a Skate Park (that would be cool), Est District Maintenance Shop replacement, Purchasing of neighborhood parks in advance of development and a nature center at Lick Creek.

Proposition 5: Community Center – $7,050,000 for a new community center off Krenek Tap Road.

Proposition 6: New City Hall – $26,300,000 fo the envisioned 4-story, 69,568 sq ft building at Krenek Tap and Texas Avenue.

Click here to download the Bond Proposition Brochure in PDF format (from cstx.gov)

The brochure explains the anticipated duration of these projects…for example, the new City Hall will start in 2009 and finish in 2012. The skate park with start in 2009 and finish in 2010. University Drive Improvements will sart in 2013 and finish in 2015.

The brochure also explains the impact on the tax rate. It explains that ONE CENT of the tax rate would generate approximately $495,000. A one cent increase will affect the total taxes on a $100,000 home by $10.00 annually. The expenditures of Prop 1-5 won’t affect the tax rate, although the maintenance costs could increase the tax rate in the future. Prop 6 (the new city hall) will likely increase the tax rate by 4.5 cents. So we’re looking at around $50.00 annually on a $100,000 home at least until 2012.

If you live in College station, you probably received the “VOTE FOR YOUR FUTURE” brochure in the mail, so check it out…it’s more detailed than my post here…or click the link above and download the brochure.

Personally, I THink all these improvements would be good…even if it means an increase in property tax.

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Oh, and Ben & Jerry’s is giving away a free Ice Cream Scoop if you go in to their store on November 4th between 8:00 and 5:00pm.

Ben & Jerry’s wants to thank you for voting by giving you a free scoop of ice cream! Come to participating scoop shops on November 4th from 5-8pm, show us you voted and you’ll get a free scoop of ice cream. Show us your “I Voted” sticker, a photo of you in front of your polling station, do the “I Voted dance” or just tell us you voted.

Yay…free ice cream.

What to do on Your Anniversary

OK, so today is our 14th anniversary. We’ve got a few errands to run, and we’re down to 2 kids this week (the two older ones are with their grandmother).

We’ve decided not to have a babysitter and take the kids with us in whatever adventure happens tonight.

1. OK, first things first…I took out the trash. I also cut the fat off the chicken we were going to freeze. My wife’s love language is Acts of Service, so I think the day started well. Oh, and I gave her a card that said all the right stuff.

2. We need to go to the library because we have some overdue videos. (those are $1 each day they are overdue by the way).

3. Next thing we want to do is go to Hobby Lobby. We have this wooden elephant that kinda got handed down to my wife, but the tusks are gone. We looked up what the gift for the 14th anniversary is and the traditional gift is ivory. Well, last I heard, buying ivory is illegal, so we’re gonna go and see if we can find something that resembles 2-3 inch long elephant tusks. Maybe they’ll have a cool mirror on sale at like 80% of or something. (the modern 14th anniversary gift is Gold Jewelery and my wife doesn’t like gold. She likes nickel free!

4. Starbuck’s Vanilla Latte. It’s right across the parking lot.

5. I’m thinking about Fish Taco’s at La Bodega. They have really yummy quesadillas and rice and beans for the kids and we can use one of our coupons.

5. Cafe Capri for their chocolate toffee mousse with kahlua. I think we are going to need a whole piece each…well, we’ll each share a few bites with each of our kids. I just took another look at their menu and I might be considering the Cajun Tortelini. Yum.

6. We will probably go to Post Oak Mall to Victoria’s Secret (me and the kids will be at the little soft play park in the food court). Leigh received a coupon in the mail for free Panties…yay!

7. We’ll hang out a little while at the soft play park in the mall. We like watching our kids play. Plus we’ll get to talk a little.

8. If we feel like we need to talk a little more, maybe we’ll go to Wolf Pan Creek walk around a bit…holding hands of course.

9. Maybe rent a Redbox movie. Unless we get our NetFlix rental arrives today…John & Kate plus Eight is coming next.

But first, I have to work making websites and graphics and logos and flash games and stuff.

jorge

What to do on the 4th of July, 2008

Well, my parents are coming in from San Antonio, and thought I’d post some of the things we’re considering, as well as some ideas as to what might be fun to do. We love when our parents come and visit.

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George Bush Library – July 4th

The George Bush Library hosts an Independence day celebration every year, and we’ve heard it’s fantastic. There’s a symphony, a band, an Elvis Impersonator, a magician, consssions, a fly-by of WWII planes, and of course, fireworks in he evening. Here’s a schedule from their website:

Schedule of Events:
• Concessions open at 5:00 p.m.
• Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Presentation of Colors at 6:00 p.m.
• Fly Over at 6:30 p.m.
• Texas High Life band performs at 6:45 p.m.
• Magician Sneaky Pete Rizzo performs at 8:00 p.m.
• Elvis impersonator Jason Adams at 8:35 p.m.
• Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra begins concert at 9:00 p.m.
• Fireworks begin at 9:40 p.m.
• Grand Finale at 10:00 p.m.

Looks like you’ll need to park down the street and take a shuttle to the grounds.

Texas World Speedway (TWS website) July 5th

This is actually on Saturday, July 5th, so you can have a second day of Independence day fun.

This year, the Texas World Speedway is hosting a 4th of July celebration with a car show, a burn out competition, food, and firworks. It’s a free event that starts at 2PM and will go on till 9PM. The speedway is South on HWY 6. You’ll see the signs.

This event is to benefit the Fire Department. If you want to show your car or take part in the burnout competition, there is an entry fee. Check out their website for more info (although there’s not much there as of this post…maybe later this week).

City Pools – July 4th

The city pools will be open and apparently they are doing something as well. I can’t find much info on what they are doing, but they are doing something.

Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Caldwell – July 3rd

12th Annual Celebration & Fireworks Display
Jul 3, 2008 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Hwy 21 E & CR 307 In Caldwell

Elizabeth Lutheran Church will host a Community Wide Celebration of Fireworks Display. Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, watermelon, drinks, bounce & slide, adrenaline rush maze, bingo, games, face painting, duck pond, silent auction, raffle & fireworks.

Free dance music by Southern Roots Band.
Free Admission.
Park and ride from Caldwell High School.

H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos – July 4th

Washington, Texas
(take Hwy 6 to Navasota, then 105 West toward Washington)

Jul 4, 2008 7:00 pm
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Join the Star of the Republic Museum for H-E-B Fireworks on the Brazos. Celebrate the Nation’s independence at the last capital of the Republic of Texas. Free Blue Bell ice cream and Coca-Cola will be served starting at 7:00 pm.

Aquablast – July 5th

Jul 5, 2008 All Day
Bryan Aquatic Center
Fun for the whole family

$3 Admission

New Baden Jamboree – July 5th

5PM to 10PM – Free
New Baden Community Center
New Baden, Texas (out on Hwy 79)

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JJ’s SnoCones

These guys will NOT be open. (I just found this out, but they will be open on Saturday and Sunday regular hours.) Remember, the kiddie size is just 75¢. They’ve got some new flavors (Coke, Coke Float, Passion Fruit). Maybe you can ask for a red white and blue sno cone, like Wild Strawberry/Coconut/BlueBubbleGum, or Raspberry/Rum/CottonCandy. I am seriously considering trying a “Banana/Coke”. I know, that sounds crazy, but I’m crazy like that.

Tanglewood & Tiffany Park Splash Pads

The Splash Pads will be open and running. My family loves these.

Fireworks Warehouse

In Brazos County, fireworks known as “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins” have been banned, but other fireworks, such as sparklers and firecrackers, are still allowed.

The fireworks warehouse on South Hwy 6 (down the road from the Texas World Speedway – between College Station and Navasota) is only selling what is legally allowed to be used. I believe the artillery shells are not banned

Food

As far as food goes, We’ll see if my parents want to go back to Fish Tacos at La Bodega, or maybe burgers at the New Baden General Store…that will be a nice little drive.

Weather

Fri – July 4
Partly Cloudy
94°

Sat – July 5
Isolated Storms (I doubt it)
95°

Sun – July 6
Scattered T-Storms (I doubt this too, although it would be great)
95°

Now, Monday, it might rain…maybe.