TeenZone Blog

Everyone remembers being told, “look left, right, then left again” when you were taught to cross the street as a child. Or maybe you were just told “look both ways”. That part seems to have stuck. The looking part. The part that didn’t stick is cross at the corner and cross with the light.

Texas is a state for drivers. People in Texas love their cars. Public transportation was horribly under-used here compared to other major cities. I say was because the gas prices have started a trend of more and more people taking a bus or train to work. But most people still drive.

People in Texas don’t walk a lot. Except maybe in their local neighborhood or in downtown Dallas. Because they don’t walk a lot they forget all they were taught as children about using the crosswalk and waiting for the green light. The way people cross the street in Texas is dangerous. People dash across the street in the middle of a block because going all the way to the corner seems like a pain to them. Nowhere near as painful as getting hit by a car would be, but still enough of a pain that they will risk death or severe injury for the convenience.

OK, that’s bad, but what is UP with the people crossing within 20 feet of a corner without going to the corner. The corner is RIGHT THERE and they still won’t go there to use the cross-walk. They run across the street assuming no one is going to turn at the corner and hit them. Or they weave between cars stopped at the light. It’s insane. Really, really nuts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2006 Texas ranked third out of all 50 states in the number of pedestrian deaths with only California and Florida having more deaths. They did a statistical report in 2003 that found that 30% of pedestrian deaths are caused by improper crossing, 25% are caused by walking, playing, or working in the roadway, and 15% by failing to yield the right of way (crossing when you don’t have a green light).

So, here is my plea to you, the teens of Carrollton. Please cross at the corner. Please cross with the light - when it is green for you. And of course, look left, then right, then left again.

Don’t you hate when you’ve been waiting LIKE FOREVER in line for a library book and the hold FINALLY comes in for you when you’re on vacation and CAN’T come pick it up. Arrrrrgh!

Not a problem. Next time you’re in the holds line for a popular book and are going out of town or have a really big project that won’t leave any time to read, just freeze the hold! If you’re next in line and the book comes in, you’ll be skipped WITHOUT losing your place in line. And you’re in total control. You freeze it yourself and unfreeze it yourself. 24-7.

Just follow these directions and you’ll see little icicles on your hold in your online library account.

There’s a link to the directions right on the page where you log in to your library account. If your parents have books on hold, show them how to freeze their holds and score some major points! Don’t forget to unfreeze when your vacation or project is over.

So, I’m heading to the Texas Library Association Conference in downtown Dallas later this week and, instead of driving, I’m hopping onto DART rail. WHY am I taking the train instead of driving?

• I can nap on the train on the way down AND on the way back home.
• I won’t have to worry about fighting traffic or finding a place to park.
• I’ll have to be able to carry all my stuff back onto the train and therefore won’t be tempted by the crazy discounts on books, thus saving me money.
• I’m hoping it wil be a few steps backward in carbon footprinting.
• I can spend my non-napping travel time catching up on my reading.
• It’s a great way to enjoy the Metroplex scenery…it’s also great people watching.
• The cost of my train ticket is cheaper than filling up my gas tank.
• Did I mention that I can nap on the train on the way down AND on the way back home?

I’ll be leaving from the Parker Road station but, did you know that DART stations are coming to Carrollton? In a few years, there will be 3 light rail stations in Carrollton. Just think, if you want to head to American Airlines Center for a concert or Mavs game, you can hop on the rail. Someday you’ll even be able to take the rail up to Denton and over to Fort Worth!

Of course, you don’t have to wait for the rail to get to Carrollton. Visit the DART website to learn about the many rail destinations.

Are you ready for the rail to come? Where would you like it to take you? Leave us a comment and let us know!

The National Weather Service may say no tornado was in Thursday’s early morning storm that ripped through Carrollton on its way across the Metroplex, but the damage sure looks like what a tornado would do. The Hebron & Josey location of the library finally has electricity, phones, and the computers back in working order in time to open up Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. Woo hoo!

The City of Carrollton has posted pictures of the storm damage on the Web site. Click one of the links below to check out the photos.

• Power Pole Damage Photos
• Structural Damage Photos
• Vehicle Damage Photos
• Tree Damage Photos
• Fence Damage Photos
• Miscellaneous Damage Photos

All of the TeenZone bloggers hope your families are safe and that any necessary repairs go quickly.

Comment and share YOUR personal story about the storm and the mess it left behind!

March 17 is St. Paddy’s Day! But besides everyone wearing green and being honorarily Irish, what’s it all about?

St. Paddy’s Day or Paddy’s Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland. There are several legends surrounding St. Patrick amongst those is the legend that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Sure enough, you won’t find any wild snakes there! Legend also credits Saint Patrick with teaching the Irish about Chrisitian concept of the Holy Trinity using a shamrock, or three-leafed clover. Unlike snakes, you’ll find plenty of shamrocks on display on St. Paddy’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are extremely popular in the United States.  The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts  in 1737.During this first celebration The Charitable Irish Society of Boston organized what was the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737.

Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green clothing. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-coloured clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green get pinched! Don’t let this happen to you!

Another fun thing people do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is eat green food and drink green beverages! You can either eat things that are naturally green, or you can make your own green food. Try adding green food coloring to mashed potatoes (a traditional Irish food indeed!) or even scrambled eggs for a colorful meal! Several restaurants will serve green food and drinks around St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll have no problems finding green St. Paddy’s Day themed milkshakes, donuts, ice cream and other sweets to enjoy!  

Check out the History Channel’s St. Patrick’s Day website to learn more about the history and the traditions surrounding the great green holiday! You can also check out these great books and videos in the library’s colleciton.