Brazos Valley Reporter

So, who is the "Brazos Valley Reporter" anyway?! In my "other" life as Lee James I am the owner, publisher, editor, designer, planner, marketing director, and whatever else needs to be done in the venture of LifeintheBrazos.com. While I love all this, I also need some "ADventure" in my life and to satisfy my incurable urge to "ramble" the countryside that I've had all my life! I want to discover those hidden jewels out there in the Brazos Valley and in doing so meet as many of you as I can! Many of those "jewels" are not just the wonderful places we have to visit...they are YOU! And I want to meet you! Come ride with me "virtually"in this column as I take off into the sunrise in search of that next story, which there are many, and take you on a verbal and visual tour through the eye of an artist and my camera. We'll meet some great people, see some great places, and have a little FUN! With gas prices going through the roof, let's have some fun right in our own Brazos Valley. What a great place to be! If you see me on the road or the street somewhere, you'll know I'm at it again! So, y'all be sure to say hello and, if you want, share a "tale" or two, call me at 979-218-5317 or EMAIL me!

About the Author

On the personal side, I have a wonderful wife with whom I share a love of animals. She has an Arabian horse who has been her "best friend" for 19 years now. We used to be "empty nesters" until Austin, our Golden Retriever came along six years ago. Let me assure you that life has NOT been the same since! What a character this guy is! He keeps me cracked up and has become my "best buddy!" My son is a resident at Scott & White in Temple and is my "Aggie" connection to the Valley along with my sister-in-law and brother-law who are also Aggies. My daughter-in-law and 10 year old grandson round out the family side and keep things interesting!

Having spent 42 years in the computer and telecommunications industry and over 25 years as a professional artist, I've been immersed in all aspects
of professional life including engineering, software,planning, management, marketing, designing, and training. Much of that time was spent dealing with people, situations, and challenges, as well as writing, including technical papers, books and constant "communication." Many years as a small business owner in the areas of multimedia design, fine art marketing, and business development consulting have also given me a "small business" perspective in addition to a "corporate perspective." I believe with a passion that every experience I've had in my life was in preparation for this venture with LifeintheBrazos.com. In this capacity, I will be able to give back to the community in many ways and serve you, the people of the Brazos Valley. I want to meet you...I want to hear your story...and I want to know how I can help your community. So, call me (979-218-5317), EMAIL me, stop me on the street and let's talk!
A Friend of the Valley,
Brazos Valley Reporter

Hospice - Do We Really Understand It? Read my interview with Hospice Brazos Valley CEO Craig Borchardt. Also, see our new Hospice Brazos Valley Feature Section with on-going articles and important information about hospice, a public service of LifeintheBrazos.com

Join the Brazos Valley Reporter as I take you to the charming town of Navasota, Texas - Another Hidden Treasure for a short visit and we have lunch at Serendipity's Restaurant. You won't believe all I found in Navasota!More...

Who is Randy Pavlock...Really?
Many of you may have heard Randy and his band, Twenty Four Seven, and if you have not, you owe yourself this treat! The single word description of what Randy Pavlock does is..."Blues." But that word and what it means to someone like Randy, goes as deep as the Blues genre itself. More...

Meet Ram Galindo
Recently my travels took me to the Galindo building in West Bryan to meet with Ramiro Galindo, Chairman of the Board and CEO of R.A.Galindo, Inc., headquartered in Bryan and Austin, Texas. Why, you may ask, is the Brazos Valley Reporter meeting with Mr. Galindo? More...

New Senior center for College Station
9/29/2006 - In the past month, 3 public planning meetings have been held to gather input from the public to be considered in the modeling of a proposed Senior Center for College Station. MORE...

Victorian Gala and Tea 2006
On Sunday, October 8th, many will return to Dallas, Houston, Austin, Temple, College Station, Louisiana, and other places after a weekend spent in another time, another era, where things were more genteel. We don't hear that word much any more. Many of you may not even know or appreciate the definition. MORE...

Austin English Country Band
If you attended this years' Victorian Gala and Tea in Calvert, Texas, or if you have attended the event in the past, then you know that the English Country Dance held in the evening is a major part of this event. More...

Open Schooling Horse Show in Bryan
Early morning in Brazos county near Bryan, a nice sunrise, a cool fall morning, and the smell of wood smoke, with chicken wings and beef brisket cooking......sound good? If so, come on in and join the Brazos Valley Reporter. More...

Madisonville Mushroom Festival
Fall in the Brazos Valley is just a great time to be alive! The hot weather finally breaks and even the slightest bit of cool¯ in the air is so very welcome. It makes you feel so good, you just want to hit the road and go to a festival and stay outdoors all day. Well, there's nothing the Brazos Valley Reporter likes better. So, off we go to the Mushroom Festival! MORE...

KBTX Food Drive
Mike Wright, KBTX General Manager was the guest speaker at today's meeting of the College Station Kiwanis Club at the Hilton. MORE...

Virtual Tour of the KBTX Food Drive
See the KBTX Food Drive 2006 with the Brazos Valley Reporter.MORE...

Brazos Valley Bombers Slideshow
Join the Brazos Valley Reporter for a Press Conference with the Brazos Valley Bombers...and Kaboom!MORE...

Brazos Valley Bombers Take Flight
There is a Brazos Valley original that if you don't know about, you should. You can even see them in the public art displayed in Downtown Bryan. Our hometown baseball team, your team, the Brazos Valley Bombers....is evolving, and that evolution took a major step forward this week. MORE...

Houston Dynamo CONCACAF
The Aggie Soccer Complex at Texas A & M University was the setting today for an announcement by Houston Dynamo President and General Manager Oliver Luck that the Dynamo
will will host its 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup home game against Costa Rica's Puntarenas FC at College Station, TX.MORE...

Red Wasp Film Festival 2006

One of the memorable events from October, 2006 was the Red Wasp Film Festival. See the Press Release for details about the event and its sponsors. I'm sure you've heard of the Sundance Film Festival. Well, did you know we have our own Independent Film Festival here in the Brazos Valley? MORE...

Red Wasp Film Festival 2006 Virtual Tour
Take a Virtual of the Red Wasp Film festival 2006 with the Brazos Valley Reporter.MORE...

Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark Christened
A press conference held today brought to light plans for the renovation of Travis Field in Bryan and the renaming of the ballpark to Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark. The Brazos Valley Bombers and Brazos Valley Bank revealed detailed plans for the ballpark and the consummation of a naming rights agreement to rename Travis Field to Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark. MORE...

Starlight Aloha 2007
The 2007 season for the Starlight Music Series got off to an early start Thursday night at a special party for valued guests and sponsors. MORE...

Burleson Chamber and Kolache Festival
Read about the Annual Burleson County Chamber of Commerce Banquet and the 2007 Kolache Festival. MORE...

Harvest Festival 2007
Have you been cooped up too much from all the rains? Wondering if it will ever end? Well, it will pass.after all, this is Texas! And we have the perfect idea to make your summer most memorable. It™s almost harvest time at the renowned local landmark, Messina Hof Winery & Resort. MORE...

Ribbon Cutting at King Oaks
King Oaks, a premier master-planned community in Bryan College Station, Texas, was our destination today as members of the Bryan / College Station Chamber of Commerce and others gathered to celebrate with a ribbon cutting. MORE...

Brazos Valley Worldfest

Historic Downtown Bryan will once again provide the perfect setting¯ for a cultural event and festival when the Brazos Valley Worldfest, presented by Citibank, premiers Saturday, November 17, 2007, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Texas A&M University is spearheading the organization of this first-time, community-wide festival. MORE...