These days it seems like our City Council is a mirror of what’s going on in national politics: Pre-K tantrums to get what one wants. This last month has been filled with budget workshops which have been an embarrassment — for everyone. The petty insults. The flat out “No” withoutContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist Labor Day. An invigorating – some might say “intoxicating” – holiday because the kiddos are back in school. Aunt Cypsy argued for years that Labor Day would have been called Independence Day, but that name had already been snagged. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, butContinue Reading
Created by Shangri La Tarot, Astrology, Reiki, 111 Austin Street, 469-994-2295 For the Week of August 31 to September 5, 2024 As Mercury goes direct on August 28th, the square between Jupiter and Saturn reminds us that fulfillment doesn’t require greatness. Rather than challenging authority or seeking global change, focusContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist Val Lou looked at Cousin Gary like he had come unhinged when he made an unthinkable announcement at the breakfast table. “Say again!” she replied. He blinked, wondering what he had said that earned him a look that registered somewhere between amusement and disdain. “I think Krispy KremeContinue Reading
This week, the “will of the people” was more than evident. Jefferson residents attended Monday and Tuesday nights Budget Workshop in large numbers and expressed their views over a proposed 2024-25 budget cut to Friends of Jefferson Animals made by Mayor Patricia Finstrom. Finstrom, who’s responsibility includes providing the CityContinue Reading
Ken Bridges/Columnist Success is never a straight line. Gail Borden’s story is how an Indiana farmboy with almost no formal schooling went from being a Texas revolutionary and editor to a celebrated inventor and wildly successful New York factory owner. The calm and curious man nurtured not only revolution in Texas but a revolutionContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist Listen up, fellow wisecracks, Friday, August 16, 2024, is National Tell a Joke Day. It’s a day that the world celebrates the art of telling tales. Now, I know that humor is deeply subjective. Not all jokes are funny. One person’s knee-slapper is another’s eye-rolling grizzle. Sometimes IContinue Reading
Ken Bridges/Columnist The twentieth century opened up a new frontier for innovation and adventure: the skies. With the first successful airplane flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903, airplanes began making rapid advances that would change transportation forever. Aviation had come to stay, and Texas would play an important early role. Two pilots inContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist Grace’s roots were in northwestern Louisiana. “I’ll die here,” she said, words firmly planted in her headroom. And it was there, a short drive from her birthplace, she crossed the great divide, having ventured only a couple times to the other Cotton States. I coaxed her to flyContinue Reading
Created by Shangri La Tarot, Astrology, Reiki, 111 Austin Street, Jefferson 469-994-2295 Weekly Horoscopes and Lucky Numbers (July 26th – August 1st) Aries: This week, you’re urged to take things slow and avoid hasty decisions. Focus on introspection and long-term goals. Expect some challenges in your personal relationships, but communicationContinue Reading
First thing, Mrs. Stebbins’ name is Georgianna, not Georgette. I am the precinct chair for precinct 6 Marion County. Before the official date to be the new county chair, 6/17, the precinct chairs received an invitation to the organizational meeting on 6/27/2024. On 6/27/2024 we were presented with a FINALContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist About 25 years ago, I eased up to a traffic light on the northside of Houston. Two young men, probably in their early to mid-twenties, were standing to my left on the median strip. Their clothes were stained with sweat and dirt, hair greasy, fingernails encrusted with dirt.Continue Reading
Ken Bridges/Contributing Writer Persistence makes all the difference, whether in history or science. And it is that persistence that can change the world, in ways both large and subtle. The work of engineer Otis Boykin helped facilitate a revolution in electronics, from the pacemaker to guided missiles. Boykin was born in Dallas in AugustContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist It’s July. The middle of the summer. The busiest month for summer vacations. In case you are wondering what to do, here are twelve awesome summer activities to either add to or check off your bucket list. Prepare a cherry dessert. Have you been to Brookshire’s on BroadwayContinue Reading
Ken Bridges/Columnist Many historical figures make an impact in multiple fields. For Dr. Roland Vela, an intense curiosity about the world as well as a drive to serve others became the defining characteristics of his life. He spent a decades-long career making important discoveries in science and helping to makeContinue Reading
Rabbi Lynnette Bonner/Bethel Temple Fellowship What is sin? A message from my heart: This is for those with a broken heart, I want to speak life and love to everyone, and to let you know Jesus/Yeshua loves you. He wants to restore you and bring you back to Him. Let’sContinue Reading
By Hunter Bonner My name is Hunter Bonner, and I am your newly elected Marion County Republican Chairman. I was elected in the primary election on March 5, 2024 and my term will last through State Convention in 2026. When I decided to run for County Chairman, I did soContinue Reading
Rick Smith, Columnist I’m hard pressed to name a favorite color. I like bold, eye-catching colors. But I usually wear black. I like black. Blue jeans. Black shirt. Black boots. I’m good to go. Black suit, black Oxford dress shoes, white shirt, and the razzle dazzle of a red tie.Continue Reading
Seth Buckner/Heritage Baptist Church Ants are remarkable creatures. Although tiny, they display great organization, industry, and strength that is fascinating to study. More than 12,000 species are found throughout the world. If ants could talk, they might say, “You forgot to wipe your counter. I am going to go tell a thousand ofContinue Reading
Rick Smith/Columnist She was a frugal chef. Not by choice though. She managed to put three homemade meals on the table every day. No easy task. She cooked with her soul, using simple ingredients. Her food was delicious, and if it wasn’t, it was because she was working out theContinue Reading