Arlington, TX

I want to take a moment to remember. A moment to reflect. A moment to honor.

As everyone does, I remember the events of September 11 like it was yesterday. I was on my way to drop off my son at Kindergarten when I heard on the radio that a “small plane” had hit the World Trade Center. When I got home, I told my husband what I heard and we turned on the TV. My husband is a conspiracy theorist to rival Mel Gibson’s Jerry Fletcher. He took one look at the building and said, “that was no small plane.” He immediately starting forming theories about what had happened. At that time, I still thought it was an accident and figured he was overreacting, as usual.

I remember watching as the second plane hit. I sat motionless, my hand over my mouth. I still didn’t quite understand what was going on, but I knew it wasn’t good. The TV reporters were actually agreeing with my husband. The words “terrorist attack” were being thrown around. How could that be?? It just continued to get worse, as the Pentagon also fell victim to a plane. I kept wondering what was next. Right now they were hitting high profile big cities. Surely Arlington, Texas wasn’t on their list? Or was it?

I wanted to run and pick my baby up from school, but I didn’t want him to panic. My husband and I talked it over and decided that we should let him stay at school. The terrorists were hitting America in symbolic places. Surely our little elementary school was safe. Besides, he was still an innocent 5 year old boy on that day. We decided to let him stay innocent for at least one more day. 

I sat on the edge of the bed, glued to the television and watched in complete horror as the first tower fell. I remember crying and saying over and over, “All of those firemen are still in there. They are still in there.” I continued to watch, mesmerized and horrified at the same time as the rest of the events unfolded…the second tower falling, Flight 93, the rescue efforts. I sat for days watching all of it. Hoping, by some miracle, that they would find just one person alive in all that rubble. Eventually, I got up from the TV and went on with my life as usual…but usual wasn’t really “usual” anymore.  

Had I seen all of those events in a disaster movie, I probably would have said, “That could never happen.” But it was happening. It did happen. And it has changed all of us - the families, the rescuers, the country, and the world - forever.

So today, I honor the victims and their familes, the brave rescuers, the soldiers who have deployed to fight against terrorism and all of the people of America and the world who have been affected by this. Never forget.

Arlington, Arlington TX, September 11, Remembrance, Terrorist Attacks

If you’ve lived in Arlington very long, chances are you’ve heard the story of Screaming Bridge.  Many a high schooler has ventured out to North Arlington at midnight to try to hear the screams of the girls who lost their lives in a tragic accident at the bridge.  There are many different versions of the story. Over the last 46 years the details of the accident and even the location of the bridge have changed (most accounts wrongly put it in River Legacy Park). It has evolved into the tall tales we hear today. But this urban legend is born out of a real tragedy. The real story goes something like this: (more…)

Well, the ballpark nacho at least.  My friend, Jennifer, self-proclaimed Food Network Addict, enlightened me to this fact.  She had seen it on one of those shows that tells you more than you ever wanted to know about a food.  Well, anyway, I did some research and it seems that the snack we have all grown to know and love originated at the old Arlington Stadium back in 1977.  Nachos were around (a chip with cheese and a pepper on it) but weren’t so easy to sell in a concession stand.   (more…)

The city is celebrating Lake Arlington’s 50th anniversary with a “Light up the Lake” celebration on July 3.  The free event will include a musical performance by The Josh Weathers Band, bounce houses and, after sundown, a lighted boat regatta and fireworks show.  Festivities start at 5 p.m. at Richard Simpson Park, 6300 W. Arkansas Lane. (more…)