Dear Straight Talk: My daughter, 17, is attending prom. She is curious about my prom experience, but I’m not sure I should tell her. I wasn’t popular in high school, but right before graduating, a boy I’d just met asked me to his school’s prom. WOW! I was making it into prom after all. It turned out to be a triple date — to the Motel 6 with a trunk load of booze! I was blind to the plan.

When you walk into Take 27, your attention may be captured by the Tyrannosaurus rex over the bar, the Mr. Spock costume from the "Star Trek" movies, or the John Wayne movie posters on the back wall.

Once again, Prom Dress donations by many individuals made the third annual Operation Fairy Tale, held at Liberty Ranch High School, a dream come true for girls needing a free dress.

The third-annual Prom Closet/Operation Fairy Tale will be held on Saturday, March 2, in the Liberty Ranch High School cafeteria, 12945 Marengo Road, for any girl attending Liberty Ranch, Galt High or Estrellita in need of a dress for prom.

(BPT) - If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, there are a lot of options to consider, from the cruise line and style to the destinations, vacation length and types of on-board amenities. Cruising is a fun (and economical) way to see several places in a relatively short amount of time without having to unpack and repack every day. While some “hard-core” travelers may scoff at cruises, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

What type of music do you listen to? Favorite artists?

Prom may be months away, but collection for the 2013 Prom Closet is already underway for students at Galt and Liberty Ranch high schools who cannot typically afford to attend.

The new year began with good news and bad news, both pertaining to the same subject.

(NewsUSA) - The LeBron James bandwagon is overflowing ever since he won a ring. Truth is, some people need to give up their seats.

The third annual Prom Closet will take place in early 2013, and organizers are already seeking donations of used dresses. The closet offers free dresses to any Galt Joint Union High School District student in need — and beyond, if they get enough donations.

In the interest of scientific inquiry, I decided to look into what made Lawrence Welk such a durable entertainer in the hearts and minds of people (over 30) worldwide. I tuned into Channel 6 and sat there for a whole hour the other night, and I think I discovered what his secret to professional longevity was. Speaking for squareheads everywhere, I found he spoke with the exact same accent that the average Wishek, North Dakotan thinks he doesn't have.

It started as a hum from around the corner. The clicking of changing gears and buzzing bike chains grew louder and louder until the first of a pack of determined cyclists made the turn and bolted along the School Street straight-away. The crowd hollered, cheered and rang cowbells to show their support for the athletes who moved at up to 40 miles per hour over the cobblestones of Downtown.

It’s been two years since Katelyne Herrington and Mary Griffith last dominated the water together for Tokay High School.

Like birds who have grown strong and are ready to leave the nest, 195 Liberty Ranch Hawks graduated as the school's first-ever class Friday, but Principal Brian Deis reminded the students they could always come back for a visit.

Here are the top graduating students for 2012 from Tokay High School:

Two meets. One dance. Two days.

Where to go when you’re at the top? When the main competition becomes not the field, but yourself?

The king and queen would not be the only prom royalty on hand for Lodi High School on Saturday night. The league swimming champs, crowned earlier that afternoon at the Bear Creek High School pool, were also present.