![Tattered American flag amid ruined city street]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342-EMPIRES-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-2.18.47-PM-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":32734},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342-EMPIRES-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-2.18.47-PM-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":36709},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342-EMPIRES-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-2.18.47-PM-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":208052},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/342-EMPIRES-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-2.18.47-PM-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":667434}})
The decline of empires. Is America next?
It will not matter whether you are a liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, when our American Empire dies; we will all be dirt poor and our country powerless after the fall.
![Glam performer wearing crown and black lipstick]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/julianne-phoebe-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-1.45.34-PM-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":33943},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/julianne-phoebe-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-1.45.34-PM-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":71030},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/julianne-phoebe-Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-1.45.34-PM-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":181730}})
Julianne McBride, AKA Phoebe Seymour
"It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I’d be a drag queen,” is a hilarious quote by Dolly Parton, who turned 80 last month. With her love for glamour, big hair and over-the-top appearances, she’d have been a fabulous drag queen.
![Heathy Valentine's Day!]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-9.07.08-AM-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":16040},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-9.07.08-AM-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":73172},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-9.07.08-AM-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":99765},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-9.07.08-AM-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":303242}})
Happy Heart Day!
Take care of your heart. Watch the foods you eat. Your heart could be given a chance for many more lovely Valentine’s Days with the one you love.
![Performer wearing green sunglasses holding microphone]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_BAD-BUNNY-\u2013\u2013-set-image-Screenshot-2025-12-31-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":7597},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_BAD-BUNNY-\u2013\u2013-set-image-Screenshot-2025-12-31-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":29769},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_BAD-BUNNY-\u2013\u2013-set-image-Screenshot-2025-12-31-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":69577},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_BAD-BUNNY-\u2013\u2013-set-image-Screenshot-2025-12-31-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":173965}})
An open letter to 2026
Haters of Puerto Rican super-duper megastar, Bad Bunny because “He’s not even American!” was downright hysterical. We can’t wait to watch his Super Bowl Halftime Show. Bun, please perform entirely in Spanish and grab your crotch a million times.
![Cartoon elderly couple on park bench]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-TTT-Screenshot-2026-01-05-SET-IMAGE-copy-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":21393},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-TTT-Screenshot-2026-01-05-SET-IMAGE-copy-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":29988},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-TTT-Screenshot-2026-01-05-SET-IMAGE-copy-461x267.jpg","width":461,"filesize":61880}})
Obituaries to wish for in 2026
Commentary: “I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure,” is a quote often misattributed to Mark Twain but was actually said by famed
![Triptych portrait of woman in red turtleneck]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.STAR_.trlica.star_.indiasherry.SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":17320},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.STAR_.trlica.star_.indiasherry.SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":22385},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.STAR_.trlica.star_.indiasherry.SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":38790}})
India Sherry
My hope for 2026 is that we can come to the understanding and agreement that we are all like-minded people in the world living for the same thing — peace, love, and acceptance.
![Gloved hands aligning solar panels in factory]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_1440752473-Solar-panel-170x95.jpeg","width":170,"filesize":9558},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_1440752473-Solar-panel-270x152.jpeg","width":270,"filesize":14683},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_1440752473-Solar-panel-475x267.jpeg","width":475,"filesize":28134},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_1440752473-Solar-panel-878x494.jpeg","width":878,"filesize":63163}})
The USA badly losing the real energy / tech race
In 2024, 17.3 million electric cars were made worldwide, and China produced 70% of them. Chinese companies are also making the world’s cheapest and best value cars.
![Stylish group posing cheerfully on monument steps]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Queer-Eye-SET-IMAGE-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":28908},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Queer-Eye-SET-IMAGE-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":63855},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Queer-Eye-SET-IMAGE-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":170249},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Queer-Eye-SET-IMAGE-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":513666}})
Antoni Porowski wants youto talk about sex — and PrEP— like you talk about food
The Queer Eye show has changed our lives and allowed us to have so many opportunities beyond our wildest dreams.
![Collage of twelve bartenders celebrating Bar Stars]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.trlica.bartender.SET-IMAGE.Jan07-2026-2-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":19738},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.trlica.bartender.SET-IMAGE.Jan07-2026-2-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":28517},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341.trlica.bartender.SET-IMAGE.Jan07-2026-2-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":52075}})
The ‘Bartender Bunch’ have stories to tell
One last look at what Montrose Star's 2025 Bartenders of the Month had to say when asked, “What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen from behind the bar?”
![Contemporary dancer arching back in spotlight]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-ISHIDA-DANCER-2-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":15606},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-ISHIDA-DANCER-2-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":19970},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-ISHIDA-DANCER-2-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":36780},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341-ISHIDA-DANCER-2-878x494.jpg","width":878,"filesize":100567}})
Diversity shines through with ISHIDA Dance Company
By SA Tripi We are once again being given the opportunity to see some of the most visually stunning dance by the critically acclaimed choreographer Brett Ishida. I had the
![Statue draped in rainbow flag]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-170x95.jpg","width":170,"filesize":14161},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-270x152.jpg","width":270,"filesize":20310},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_RIGGS_2.rainbowvictory-SET-IMAGE-475x267.jpg","width":475,"filesize":38830}})
Galveston shouts HELLO, 2026!
For 2026 to be a good year, we must make our voices known and show that there is strength in numbers. This horrible thing cannot last forever.
![Bowl of chickpea tomato soup with lemon]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Food-For-Thought-CHICKPEA-Soup-SET-IMAGE-Screenshot-2026-01-06-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":13037},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Food-For-Thought-CHICKPEA-Soup-SET-IMAGE-Screenshot-2026-01-06-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":50918},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Food-For-Thought-CHICKPEA-Soup-SET-IMAGE-Screenshot-2026-01-06-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":123024},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/341_Food-For-Thought-CHICKPEA-Soup-SET-IMAGE-Screenshot-2026-01-06-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":315595}})
Happy, healthy New Year !
are a wonderful plant-based protein that Chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber. One cup of garbanzos has 14.5 grams of protein, which is twenty percent of the recommended daily amount for a 185-pound adult.