![Close-up of smiling woman in patterned collar]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dh020325-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":7762},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dh020325-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":11790},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dh020325-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":23517},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/dh020325-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":57420}})
‘Wicked’ star Cynthia Erivo joins ‘Blood and Bone’
By Romeo San Vicente –– Queer Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo has joined a large ensemble cast for “The Woman King” filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood’s latest, “Children of Blood and Bone.”
![Costumed disco-era performers satirizing politics onstage]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/VillagePeople-M\u2013A\u2013G\u2013A-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":32696},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/VillagePeople-M\u2013A\u2013G\u2013A-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":47522},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/VillagePeople-M\u2013A\u2013G\u2013A-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":91920}})
Trump
By D’Anne Witkowski –– It is simply impossible to keep up with the barrage of antiLGBTQ+ news coming out of the Trump Administration. Upontaking office, Trump wasted no time signing
![Man leaning over kitchen table writing]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3.-330.causeway.WEB_.Mark_.creating-COPY-COPY-copy-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":21354},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3.-330.causeway.WEB_.Mark_.creating-COPY-COPY-copy-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":28208},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3.-330.causeway.WEB_.Mark_.creating-COPY-COPY-copy-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":49879}})
CONNECTING THE DOTS
By Forest Riggs –– The artistic legacy of Mark L. Watford In January, Galveston Island was treated to a showing of the fantastic art works by long-deceased island resident and
![Line graph comparing Social Security income and expenditures]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329-RE_SS-trust-fund-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":8261},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329-RE_SS-trust-fund-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":18488},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329-RE_SS-trust-fund-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":48970},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329-RE_SS-trust-fund-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":138477}})
National debt problem, part 3
By Rick Ehrlich –– In the previous Parts 1 and 2, we discussed the dramatic explosion of the U.S.A.’s national debt, going from $5 trillion to $36 trillion in just
![Casual selfie near mountain lake and rocks]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CHRIS-WEB-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":16909},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CHRIS-WEB-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":21849},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CHRIS-WEB-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":38358}})
Eagle Houston’s Chris Contello
By Johnny Trlica –– For thirty years starting in 1984, The 611 Hyde Park Pub was a neighborhood favorite. If that address sounds familiar it’s because the building is now
![Light-colored dog sniffing kibble bowl]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330.tripi_.fido_.PHOTO_.Feb05-25-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":34582},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330.tripi_.fido_.PHOTO_.Feb05-25-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":77443},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330.tripi_.fido_.PHOTO_.Feb05-25-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":199804},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330.tripi_.fido_.PHOTO_.Feb05-25-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":532226}})
KIBBLE OR REAL FOOD?
By SA Tripi –– Feeding Fido So many of us strive to eat well, exercise and take care of our bodies. I can’t speak for everyone, but I’d like to
![Man in suit holding open signed folder]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-ford-waw-trump-photo-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":27155},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-ford-waw-trump-photo-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":60310},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-ford-waw-trump-photo-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":162243}})
UNDER HIS EYE
By Nancy Ford –– And so it begins Well gang, here we are. Barely a month after he raised his pudgy little left hand — though notably didn’t place his
![Drag performer in sequined red dress waving]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CC_WEB-1-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":20339},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CC_WEB-1-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":28945},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CC_WEB-1-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":56370}})
STAR OF THE MONTH: C.C. Ryder
By Johnny Trlica –– In a world where the term “living legend” is tossed about as freely as penalty flags at a Kansas City Chiefs opponent, rarely does the phrase
![Tense conversation between two people on couch]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-Hollingsworth-Gay-Couple-argue-AdobeStock_1005843868-170x95.jpeg","width":170,"filesize":16272},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-Hollingsworth-Gay-Couple-argue-AdobeStock_1005843868-270x152.jpeg","width":270,"filesize":20742},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-Hollingsworth-Gay-Couple-argue-AdobeStock_1005843868-475x267.jpeg","width":475,"filesize":32933},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/330-Hollingsworth-Gay-Couple-argue-AdobeStock_1005843868-878x494.jpeg","width":878,"filesize":65801}})
CONSCIOUS VS. UNCONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION
By Dr. Julie Hollingsworth –– Choose the right one I begin this article by giving you some background and understanding that I have gained over the years. Relationships and communication
![Winding road through hills with 2025 painted]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_984272004-2025-Sunset-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":21818},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_984272004-2025-Sunset-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":28492},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_984272004-2025-Sunset-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":48893},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AdobeStock_984272004-2025-Sunset-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":117109}})
OWN IT! Out with the old and in with the new
By Dr. Julie Hollingsworth In the New Year we make a lot of resolutions. What is the energy you live in? We go back to our old patterns of thinking.
![Tattooed person holding large vodka bottle behind bar]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BOTM-chris-commander-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":22997},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BOTM-chris-commander-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":31454},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BOTM-chris-commander-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":57176},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BOTM-chris-commander-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":126851}})
Barcode’s Chris Commander
By Johnny Trlica Commentary: It was not that long ago that gay bars engaged in discrimination against women. Who remembers when women were not allowed in certain Montrose gay bars
![Serenity prayer sign beside glass succulent]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329.ONLINE-PHOTO.hrh_.newyear.photo_.Jan01-25-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":15857},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329.ONLINE-PHOTO.hrh_.newyear.photo_.Jan01-25-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":21782},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329.ONLINE-PHOTO.hrh_.newyear.photo_.Jan01-25-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":39798},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/329.ONLINE-PHOTO.hrh_.newyear.photo_.Jan01-25-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":89063}})
Make 2025 a year of letting go
By Johnny Trlica Commentary: Words of wisdom from comedian W.C. Fields go, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about