![Glamorous performer in leopard-print sheer bodysuit]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.trLICA.SPOTLIGHT.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":35314},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.trLICA.SPOTLIGHT.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":88290},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.trLICA.SPOTLIGHT.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":255509}})
Skai Solstice Nova
Please continue to support your local drag queens, kings and everything in between!
![Spectator draped in Iranian flag, arms raised]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/348.Ford_.SET-IMAGE.PHOTO_.Aug05-2026-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":17509},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/348.Ford_.SET-IMAGE.PHOTO_.Aug05-2026-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":24465},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/348.Ford_.SET-IMAGE.PHOTO_.Aug05-2026-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":43329},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/348.Ford_.SET-IMAGE.PHOTO_.Aug05-2026-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":87618}})
Sorry, no jokes here
Iran doesn’t have a nuke. Vaporizing its entire landspace and heritage, not to mention those 93.2 million people, would not be an act of war. It would be the final act of a madman that would undoubtedly lead to the ultimate global tit for tat.
![Woman in black blouse smiling toward camera]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TamaraMorgan-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":10459},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TamaraMorgan-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":13796},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TamaraMorgan-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":22981}})
Recovery, resilience and the courage to be yourself
I had a reader tell me that I wish I could be as strong as you. I replied, but you are. She looked puzzled and said, “I don’t understand.” I smiled briefly and said, “You are strong. You’ve already taken the first step to begin the journey.”
![Colored hurricane forecast tracks converging on New Orleans]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.riggs_.causeway.bertha.PHOTO1_.Aug05-2026-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":20253},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.riggs_.causeway.bertha.PHOTO1_.Aug05-2026-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":46949},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.riggs_.causeway.bertha.PHOTO1_.Aug05-2026-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":124380},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.riggs_.causeway.bertha.PHOTO1_.Aug05-2026-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":324823},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.riggs_.causeway.bertha.PHOTO1_.Aug05-2026-1024x467.png","width":1024,"filesize":357892}})
Hurricane season begins
Not so big, bad Bertha So far, so good. We are about two months into the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season and so far, knockon wood, without any major disturbances or
![Smiling bartender by illuminated liquor shelves]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.Bartender.Mendez.SET-IMAGE.Aug05-2026-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":29054},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.Bartender.Mendez.SET-IMAGE.Aug05-2026-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":69341},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.Bartender.Mendez.SET-IMAGE.Aug05-2026-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":202056},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.Bartender.Mendez.SET-IMAGE.Aug05-2026-867x494.png","width":867,"filesize":670584}})
Crocker’s Richard Mendez
Bartending has taught me how to multi-task, communicate effectively and remain calm under pressure — skills I would use in a career where I can help others and continue growing.
![Book cover: The Cruelty of Nice Folks]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Cruelty-of-Nice-Folks-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":10846},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Cruelty-of-Nice-Folks-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":14516},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Cruelty-of-Nice-Folks-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":25135}})
‘The Cruelty of Nice Folks: Why Minneapolis Is the Story of America’ by Justin Ellis
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Two blocks up, two down. Once upon a time, that was your entire world. You lived here; Grandma’s house was around the corner. Uncles and aunties lived
![Hands holding salad bowl and bacon burger]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.tripi_.cancer.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":35473},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.tripi_.cancer.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":81864},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/348.tripi_.cancer.SET-IMAGE-Aug05-2026-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":229922}})
Can food help prevent cancer?
The clearest link between diet and cancer is obesity. It has been linked to breast, colorectal, endometrial, gastric, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancer. Whatever you might choose to eat, be conscious of how much you eat. ²
![Shirtless elderly man meets surprised angel gatekeeper]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/grahalrc-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":13433},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/grahalrc-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":26213},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/grahalrc-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":60674}})
Creep of the Week: Lindsey Graham
Graham spent his political life attacking people like me. He opposed LGBTQ+ rights, voting against marriage equality and discrimination protections every chance he got. I don’t owe this man, or anyone else who harms me or my family, a goddamn thing.
![Boss cartoon asks employee to soften honesty]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_TTT-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":15962},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_TTT-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":22623},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_TTT-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":40532},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_TTT-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":89810},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_TTT-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-1024x448.jpg","width":1024,"filesize":79834}})
Journalistic integrity takes the kind of cojones not everyone possesses
Our editor’s response when questioned by the organization’s representative showed the kind of cojones the big boys at ABC and CBS should have shown.
![Woman portrait with Montrose Star and skyline]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_LV-WEB_ARTICLE-PhotoSKYLINE-STAR-minis-AdobeStock_222530450-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":28778},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_LV-WEB_ARTICLE-PhotoSKYLINE-STAR-minis-AdobeStock_222530450-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":37637},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_LV-WEB_ARTICLE-PhotoSKYLINE-STAR-minis-AdobeStock_222530450-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":66199}})
Montrose Star celebrates 50 years of LGBTQ+ entertainment, arts and cultural events
After nearly five decades of professional leadership, when most people might welcome retirement, Villagran said she plans to continue publishing, promoting businesses, supporting community organizations and preserving LGBTQ+ history.
![American flag blending into rainbow stripes reflected]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_WAW-flags-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":16155},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_WAW-flags-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":20589},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_WAW-flags-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":31954},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_WAW-flags-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":59675},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_WAW-flags-\u2013-SET-IMAGE-1024x448.jpg","width":1024,"filesize":64401}})
It isn’t free: Staying in the fight for freedom
Former First Lady Michelle Obama didn’t attend the birthday debauchery held at the same address where she and her family had lived for eight years. She also missed seeing this savage little man slurring her femininity and the sweaty little birthday boy who grinned in response
![Rainbow rows of sliced fruit and berries]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT_Pride-AdobeStock_1385111213-170x95.jpeg","width":170,"filesize":28181},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT_Pride-AdobeStock_1385111213-270x152.jpeg","width":270,"filesize":39557},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT_Pride-AdobeStock_1385111213-475x267.jpeg","width":475,"filesize":74397},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/347_FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT_Pride-AdobeStock_1385111213-878x494.jpeg","width":878,"filesize":170979}})
Still full of pride
Regardless of whether you eat meat, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains benefits nearly everyone. These foods provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support long-term health