![Glamorous auburn-haired performer with glittered neckline]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BC1B8634-BC05-413A-B7A0-EDABDB4ED381-170x95.jpeg","width":170,"filesize":4275},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BC1B8634-BC05-413A-B7A0-EDABDB4ED381-270x152.jpeg","width":270,"filesize":7741},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BC1B8634-BC05-413A-B7A0-EDABDB4ED381-475x267.jpeg","width":475,"filesize":17027},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BC1B8634-BC05-413A-B7A0-EDABDB4ED381-878x494.jpeg","width":878,"filesize":42127},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BC1B8634-BC05-413A-B7A0-EDABDB4ED381-1008x1024.jpeg","width":1008,"filesize":84861}})
STAR OF THE MONTH: Ava Aurora
By Johnny Trlica –– In 2002, pop diva Cher launched what was billed as her Farewell Tour. Originally planned as a 59-city jaunt across North America, quickly blossomed into over
![Caricature politician at podium addressing crowd]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332_WEB_EdCartoon_exact-as-god-1-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":594610},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332_WEB_EdCartoon_exact-as-god-1-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":620293},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332_WEB_EdCartoon_exact-as-god-1-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":697132},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332_WEB_EdCartoon_exact-as-god-1-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":906722},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332_WEB_EdCartoon_exact-as-god-1-1024x691.jpg","width":1024,"filesize":1063753}})
Some good news, for once
By D’Anne Witkowski –– Hello and welcome to yet another day of the horrifying reality show none of us can escape from: the “Destroy the U.S.” edition of “The Apprentice”.
![Assorted whole foods and grains in bowls]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.Tripi_.fiber_.PHOTO_.April02-25-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":12047},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.Tripi_.fiber_.PHOTO_.April02-25-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":21435},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.Tripi_.fiber_.PHOTO_.April02-25-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":49182}})
The nutrient called fiber
You don’t have to eat just fruit, vegetables and grains. Go for a burrito and salsa! Live dangerously and have a margarita with that meal.
![Grilled shrimp taco with peppers and cheese]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3.PCT-Shrimp-Brochette-Taco-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":32960},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3.PCT-Shrimp-Brochette-Taco-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":77879},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3.PCT-Shrimp-Brochette-Taco-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":215881},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3.PCT-Shrimp-Brochette-Taco-542x494.png","width":542,"filesize":443290}})
PACIFIC COAST TACOS
Brightened by citrus soy sauce, flamed by wasabi and jalapeno, grounded by avocado and a chili-lime aioli, the nachos had an unexpected yet perfect mix of flavors.
![Solitary cloaked figure traversing rocky ruins]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.ford_.waw_.houthis.PHOTO_.Apr02-25-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":38213},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.ford_.waw_.houthis.PHOTO_.Apr02-25-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":92687},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.ford_.waw_.houthis.PHOTO_.Apr02-25-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":266840},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.ford_.waw_.houthis.PHOTO_.Apr02-25-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":806987},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.ford_.waw_.houthis.PHOTO_.Apr02-25-1024x528.png","width":1024,"filesize":984087}})
‘New phone. Houthis?’
A glitch is when you tap the wrong passcode on the keypad to unlock your house. A glitch is when your TV blinks off and reboots during a storm. A careless, bombastic text that even accidently puts millions of America’s military in danger isn’t a glitch.
![Textured book cover featuring oval dog portrait]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-Word-of-Dog-photo-WEB-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":13385},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-Word-of-Dog-photo-WEB-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":15892},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-Word-of-Dog-photo-WEB-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":24333}})
‘The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life’
“The Word of Dog” is the kind of book that may make your brain hurt, but in a good way.
![Man leaning on illuminated yellow bar]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332-Cool-NEAL-copy-2-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":15390},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332-Cool-NEAL-copy-2-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":22016},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332-Cool-NEAL-copy-2-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":41208},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332-Cool-NEAL-copy-2-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":90817}})
APRIL SHOWERS ARE FILLED WITH TEARS
Fly high, you beautiful, blazing star. Sister Forestine smiles knowing you have found that city that we all sang about on those sunny Sunday mornings.
![Bearded man selfie amid colorful liquor bottles]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.WEB_.bartender.PHOTO_.caseyreed.Apr02-25-Screenshot-2025-04-02-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":34007},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.WEB_.bartender.PHOTO_.caseyreed.Apr02-25-Screenshot-2025-04-02-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":77359}})
Play Nightlife’s Casey Reed
One of the friendliest, fastest and most professional bartenders in the Houston/Galveston area is Casey Reed.
![Performer applying dramatic makeup, bold slogan]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Cirque-du-Soleil-WEB-photo-Screenshot-2025-03-14-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":29672},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Cirque-du-Soleil-WEB-photo-Screenshot-2025-03-14-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":65175},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Cirque-du-Soleil-WEB-photo-Screenshot-2025-03-14-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":172640}})
From Nebraska to the Cirque du Soleil stage – meet artist Ethan Lottman
By SA Tripi –– I watched an old movie years ago with Eddie Cantor, an entertainer from the twenties and thirties. He sang a song “The Man on the Flying
![Small book cover with vintage photo]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Clevage-Book-Fb-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-1-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":11154},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Clevage-Book-Fb-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-1-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":12934},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Clevage-Book-Fb-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-1-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":18120}})
‘Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us’
By Terri Schlichenmeyer You had plenty of both and then, well, life and politics wedged an ocean-sized chasm between you and it makes you sad. And yet – are you
![Performer in leather cutouts with fiery backdrop]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BOTM-ANGEL-Screenshot-2025-03-07-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":35826},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/BOTM-ANGEL-Screenshot-2025-03-07-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":84495}})
STAR OF THE MONTH: Angel Oxl
By Johnny Trlica –– Ever since we started the “Star of the Month” column in January of 2024, all of the featured performers have been drag queens. We’ve profiled legends
![Headshot beside stylized camera lens]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Carly-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":14821},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Carly-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":19301},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Carly-WEB-Screenshot-2025-03-07-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":32683}})
Four more years, renewed fears
By Carly Davin Nation, Special to the MONTROSE STAR –– As of this writing we are three months into Trump’s second term. Every day I wake up to news of