![Magnifying glass over colorful fresh vegetables]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AdobeStock_930340445-foodgerms-170x95.jpeg","width":170,"filesize":27533},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AdobeStock_930340445-foodgerms-270x152.jpeg","width":270,"filesize":38215},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AdobeStock_930340445-foodgerms-475x267.jpeg","width":475,"filesize":69931},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AdobeStock_930340445-foodgerms-720x494.jpeg","width":720,"filesize":146137}})
America (is not) the beautiful
These days, no matter how much good fruit, good veggies and tofu I ingest, my mind seems to be having great difficulties.
![White brick café entrance with hanging pink flowers]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Sunrise-House-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":35537},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Sunrise-House-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":85723},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Sunrise-House-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":244389},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Sunrise-House-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":708511}})
It’s always sunny at The Sunrise House
The Sunrise House offers a menu of brunch classics, health-forward dishes and chef-driven cuisine.
![Three men enjoying drinks at a home bar]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/175106_0676R-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":28979},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/175106_0676R-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":35974},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/175106_0676R-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":55557},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/175106_0676R-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":109786}})
Matt Bomer finds healing — and hilarity — in ‘Mid-Century Modern’
For an actor whose queer roles have often been defined by societal oppression, “Mid-Century Modern” represents something revolutionary: the chance to be messy, funny and unapologetically gay
![Kneeling shaved-head detainees packed inside facility]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/333_HRH_HP_ElSalvador-Prisoners-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":22850},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/333_HRH_HP_ElSalvador-Prisoners-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":34501},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/333_HRH_HP_ElSalvador-Prisoners-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":68476},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/333_HRH_HP_ElSalvador-Prisoners-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":152204}})
Fascism
Trump is proud of his concentration camps. In fact, he told Bukele to build more prisons so that he could send “homegrown criminals” to El Salvador next.
![Historic southern mansion with tall white columns]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.causeway.before.fire-WEB-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":16052},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.causeway.before.fire-WEB-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":23590},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.causeway.before.fire-WEB-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":45314},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.causeway.before.fire-WEB-843x494.jpg","width":843,"filesize":105563}})
GALVESTON LOSES A GRAND LADY
Saturday, April 12 was a quiet morning in the Silk Stocking District, until someone noticed smoke and flames billowing out of the historic George Ball home located at 1405 24th Street.
![Retro collage book cover about queer music]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Secret-Public-book-WEB-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":16213},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Secret-Public-book-WEB-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":20454},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Secret-Public-book-WEB-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":32380}})
How this new book reminds us that pop culture often leads the way in LGBTQ+ progress
The Secret Public” covers a 24-year period, from 1955 to 1979, crucial years in LGBTQ+ history...
![Afghan border monument with helmet and rifles]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/A-peacenik-rants-332-Screenshot-2025-04-03-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":32269},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/A-peacenik-rants-332-Screenshot-2025-04-03-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":77511},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/A-peacenik-rants-332-Screenshot-2025-04-03-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":227882},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/A-peacenik-rants-332-Screenshot-2025-04-03-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":733481}})
PEACE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD
America didn't give the Afghans what it promised and left behind a shattered country. (CGTN)
![Black and white boy and man pointing]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.hrh_.PHOTO-copy-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":11430},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.hrh_.PHOTO-copy-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":15308},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.hrh_.PHOTO-copy-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":26277},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/332.trlica.hrh_.PHOTO-copy-878x302.jpg","width":878,"filesize":50742}})
Out of ‘The Twilight Zone’ and into reality
Today’s elected Republicans can be compared to the people of The Twilight Zone's Peaksville — afraid of the child-like, emotionally undeveloped man they have allowed to assume control over not only themselves but also the entire country.
![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}})
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}})
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.