Last week, I mentioned -- in so many words -- that the “death of summer” is essentially the birth of fall.

The idea of there being a season for everything should not strike anyone as revelatory, especially if you’re keen on Ecclesiastes, Pete Seger and/or The Byrds.

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Oh, where, oh where did our summer go?

While we lounged around the pool — perhaps with a good book in one hand and a cool beverage in the other — autumn creeped onto our front porch. It’s too late to jump in the pool and play “Marco, Polo”; though the official start of fall is a couple of weeks away, come Monday, summer is as good as gone. And you’ll know it when the several thousand Lewisville ISD students return to school.

But it’s not all bad. The temperatures eventually will dip below triple digits; the Friday night lights will flicker at the stadiums; fall concerts will resonate through auditoriums; and homecoming dances will take over gymnasiums.

And, yours truly will eagerly wait to see every last drop of your school news on neighborsgo.com. If it’s a school event or accomplishment, it’s a neighborsgo story, calendar item or classroom brief waiting to happen. And, be sure to check out our live blogging this Back-To-School Monday. Parents, teachers, coaches, directors, students and staff, have a wonderful school year.

Robert Tracy, assistant managing editor of neighborso, wishes his two favorite teachers — his father and sister — a fantastic 2008-09.

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Let's just say the inhabitants of 131 W. Main St., are really excited to have a new vending machine. Say hello to our glowing box of trans-fat goodness, Vendeth Paltrow. She's approximately 65 inches, 200 pounds and was delivered at about 3:07 p.m. Aug. 21, 2008. In lieu of traditional baby shower gifts, the proud neighborsgo West Zone parents will accept quarters, nickels, dimes and crisp dollar bills.
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Inspired by Studio B Performing Arts Center’s latest show (The Sound of Music) and hundreds of hours staring at neighborsgo.com, I present a few of my favorite things — some of which you can find exclusively on the Web site.

Central A/C in August and the blog “Lindsay in Beijing,"
Anthony Bourdain on my TV and “cuisine” Lindsay is eating,
Curiosity in past lives and people trying hypnotherapy,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Twenty-three teens in the UK and the tour they are taking,
Women with guitars and the sounds they are making,
Library books and classic Westerns like Shane on my screen,
These are a few of my favorite things. …

What are your favorite things? Heck, what are your least favorite things? Tell everyone by posting your stories, photos, videos and/or starting a blog today at neighborsgo.com.

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Can you feel the excitement, Southern Denton County? Have you seen the smiles on people’s faces? Did you sense enthusiasm in the hot, summer air? You did!?! Me, too! It’s that time of year. And this time, we are in the clear for a fun time at the Highland Village Lions Club Balloon and Music Festival. (more)

I’ve spent a lot of time recently discussing travel an awful lot, particularly my minor jaunts (cycling the network of roads in the area) and major excursions (jetting to the United Kingdom). If you’re interested in learning more about the latter, you’ll have to go to my blog, UK, OK. Otherwise, my travel “talks” have reached their final destination …

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You won't see me on Jeff Foxworthy's game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader any time soon. I just got schooled by some second-graders from Vickery Elementary.

I met a handful of the students and teachers outside City Hall during their lunch break. They were in Old Town to tour their city. Learning about local government is a significant component of LISD's second-grade curriculum.

I can vouch that these enthusiastic students have learned plenty. They taught me a lot about the history of the city, its namesake (Basdeal Lewis), its old cash crop (cotton) and much more. I was impressed.

The students spent the morning touring City Hall, where they learned about the new building and how the local government works. They are spending the rest of the day visiting the police department, fire station and library. It sounds like a full, fun day of learning to me!

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Of all the months, April probably is the least popular.

Why? For starters, you’ve got taxes to file, tornado sirens blaring and its the beginning of another futile season for the Texas Rangers.

Fortunately, April 19 and 27 salvage the tedious month. The final Saturdays of April kick off the Old Town Lewisville Farmers Market.

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Fashion is on my mind these waning days of May. And by thelooks of your photos, fashion is on your minds, too.

Clothing makes the man, woman, sport, season, etc. What wewear speaks volumes about us, our hobbies, where we’re from and where we’regoing (read: 40 degrees is shorts weather in Des Moines and is cause to addanother blanket to the bed in Flower Mound).

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Radiohead — one of my favorite bands “of all time” — performed in Dallas earlier this month. No, I didn’t go. Yes, I am a little bitter that my boss went (nothing but love for ya, Oscar; nothing but love).

All jealousy aside, the musicians in the group, particularly singer/songwriter Thom Yorke, are well-known for being obtuse and inaccessible, sonically and socially. This is evident in the band’s documentary, Meeting People is Easy.

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