LOCAL NEWS
Two Brazos County Trees Featured in Texas Forest Service Book
The Texas A&M Forest Service is celebrating its centennial by releasing an updated version of its Famous Trees of Texas book, which features 100 historic Oaks, Elms, Cottonwoods, Cedar and Cypress trees. Two of these historic trees have roots in Brazos County.
The book, published by Texas A&M University Press, will be released Feb. 25 in conjunction with celebrations this month at Texas A&M and the state Capitol. "The first book came out in 1970, and we've had a lot of requests for it," said Thomas Boggus, director of the Texas A&M Forest Service. "The centennial gave us an opportunity to refresh the book and update it." (The Eagle)
Texas Vietnam Veterans Exhibit Opening Later This Month
An exhibit honoring Texas Vietnam veterans will be presented to the Museum of the American G.I. this month.
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee announced last month that it had agreed to a long-term loan of the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit to the Museum of the American G.I., at 19124 Texas 6 in College Station.
The exhibit, which features 3,417 dog tags — one for each Texan killed or missing during the Vietnam War — was created as an outreach and fundraising effort for the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument, which now stands on the northeast side of the Texas Capitol grounds.
During a presentation ceremony starting at 1 p.m. Feb. 28, museum-goers can preview the exhibit, which will formally open in May.
Related link: bit.ly/1zJcL4V
NATIONAL NEWS
Jon Stewart is leaving The Daily Show after 16 years.
He made the announcement during his Tuesday taping.
In a statement, Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless said, “For the better part of the last two decades, I have had the incredible honor and privilege of working with Jon Stewart. His comedic brilliance is second to none. Jon has been at the heart of Comedy Central, championing and nurturing the best talent in the industry, in front of and behind the camera. Through his unique voice and vision, The Daily Show has become a cultural touchstone for millions of fans and an unparalleled platform for political comedy that will endure for years to come."
Stewart will stay with the show until later this year.
He took over The Daily Show from Craig Kilborn in 1999, turning into a cable juggernaut that has won 18 Emmys. This comes only two months after Stephen Colbert left the network to host The Late Show on CBS. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Good News For Airline Travelers
Only 30 domestic flights in 2014 were stuck on airport tarmacs for more than three hours, a record low, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the latest sign that hefty fines are reducing delays.
Passenger complaints prompted the federal government in 2010 to adopt fines for every domestic flight delayed longer than three hours and for each international flight stalled for at least four hours. Violators can be fined as much as $27,500 per passenger.
In the first full year before the federal government adopted the fines, U.S. airlines reported 868 domestic flights that were delayed longer than three hours. Those delays dropped after the fines started. (MSN NEWS)
COUNTRY NEWS
Brett Eldredge Took a Bunch of Random Fans Out for a Night of Karaoke
Here's a reason you should follow your favorite artists on social media. On Monday, BRETT ELDREDGE Tweeted an invitation to hang with him in Nashville. He wrote, "Who wants to karaoke tonight? Because, why not? Details coming."
He also Tweeted out the address and time. Well, people noticed. About 75 fans were waiting when he showed up in a party bus that had a karaoke bar INSIDE. They spent almost three hours having a good time in the bus and at several clubs.
It sounds like an impulse thing, but don't be surprised if he does it again . . . because he loves karaoke. He tells "People", quote, "I love to show up. I never sing a real serious song.
"You can just let loose. I love the whole concept. Sometimes you hear really good singers. Sometimes you hear really bad singers who think they're good. I love that they think they're good. You can be a star for three minutes."
(People.com has video of Brett and some of the fans singing the pop song "Bang Bang". There's also a photo from inside the bus and at one of the bars.)
Love And Theft's "Whiskey On My Breath" is About a Guy Who'll Never Give Up the Bottle
The title of LOVE AND THEFT's song "Whiskey on My Breath" may SOUND like it's about sweating out a breathalyzer test . . . but it's way darker. It's the story of a guy who knows he'll NEVER put the bottle down.
STEPHEN BARKER LILES explains, quote, "It's an alcoholic's struggle. He's comfortable with where he is, and it doesn't matter about the rest of his life, but he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of Jesus.
"His mindset is he knows he's going to die one day, but even though he lost everything on this Earth, he's not going to give up liquor.
"It's that inner battle that an alcoholic faces. And it never resolves. It shows the darkness of being alone."
Thomas Rhett Doesn't Believe in Putting Labels on Music
THOMAS RHETT was asked for his take on putting labels on music. He doesn't believe in it. He said, quote, "I think ERIC CHURCH said it best. He said, 'There's no such thing as genres, there's just good music and bad music.'
"And that's what I've taken to heart. I don't even know what bro-country means. I don't use the term hick-hop. It's just either good music or bad music to me."
(You can listen to Thomas's quote on labeling music at Delicious Audio.)
By the way, Thomas does practice what he preaches. He's been ending his shows with a cover of the BRUNO MARS / MARK RONSON smash "Uptown Funk". (Here's video from a show last month.)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ImM2efqf8?rel=0&showinfo=0]
Country Music Extras
SAM SMITH was asked if there are any artists he'd like to work with. Y'know, during a break from "kissing" more boys. He said, quote, "I like KACEY MUSGRAVES, the county singer. She's great. That would be great." E! put the comment on Twitter, Kacey saw it, and she's interested. She Tweeted, quote, "Let's do it."
Valentine's Day Advice
It really is possible to make Valentine's Day super special, without all the pressure, stress and anxiety that you've gone through in the past. Here is some free advice that will hopefully make your celebration a success — not to mention bring the sizzle back into your relationship.
1. Have realistic expectations. Don't expect this one day to be a magic fix for anything or to be the only day you need to focus on your partner and your passion for each other. Think of the holiday as an opportunity to renew your feelings, not the only day that you express them.
2. Share your feelings. Write your partner a heartfelt letter that really expresses how you feel about him or her and that outlines all the wonderful things your mate has brought into your life. Trust me, you don't have to sound like Shakespeare for this to go over big! And I guarantee that this is one present your special someone will never, ever forget.
3. If you're buying a gift, make it personal. Really spend some time thinking about the kinds of things your partner enjoys and cherishes.
4. Plan something special together. Putting the pressure on one person to make the perfect plans can sacrifice a lot of sizzle. Figuring it out together instead can be fun, intimate, and rewarding because it's a win-win for you both.
5. Make the day about your partner. If you both make it about the other person, then you will both end up feeling great. You will feel loved and appreciated, but more importantly, you will know your partner feels the same way about you. What could be better than spending a day like that?
