Hazzard comes to Galax, for the second year, even

Billed as "a very laid-back, relaxed and personal event," the Hazzard Comes to Galax show is set for this June in Virginia, and it's chock-full of cast from our beloved "The Dukes of Hazzard." So far, John ("Bo Duke") Schneider, Sonny ("Enos Strate") Shroyer, James ("Rosco P. Coltrane") Best and Rick ("Cletus Hogg") Hurst are all signed on. Tickets are only $10 for adults and available at the gate.

The event is founded by Greg and Miranda Richardson of Greg's Core Supply in Woodlawn, Virginia, who both grew up watching "The Dukes of Hazzard" during the early 1980s. (Two "Dukes" fans marrying each other -- we love it when that happens.)

Learn more about the event at its website, HazzardComesToGalax.com, and keep up on Facebook, too.

By the way, have you seen our sweet little Daisy in her new role on CBS' daytime soap "The Young and the Restless"? Ahhh ... we remember watching "Y&R" back in the '90s ... with Victor and Victoria and Nikki and Nicholas ... Bach just started as Chelsea Lawson's (Melissa Claire Egan) mother, Anita. And like all wise TV networks these days, CBS has loaded whole episodes onto its website. So click on over to CBS' "Young and the Restless" page and check it out! You can also get the lowdown (or the up-high) at Yahoo or via this interview with "ET."

Memorial service set for "Dukes" stunt driver Al Wyatt Jr.

In the wake of the passing of Al Wyatt Jr., a well-loved member of the stunt team of "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Dukes" cast members such as John Schneider have spoken out with their words of remembrance. A special memorial service is planned to honor Wyatt, and both Schneider and James ("Rosco P. Coltrane") Best have issued this invite through their email communications to fans:

Ben Jones speaks out on NASCAR decision, issues statement

Ben ("Cooter Davenport") Jones of "The Dukes of Hazzard" sent this statement to fans early this morning. He asks them to read the related ESPN story first: ESPN Story.

Former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones, who starred as ace mechanic “Cooter” Davenport on the hit television series “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has condemned the decision by NASCAR to prevent the use of the popular “General Lee” 1969 Dodge Charger at the Phoenix Sprint Cup race in March. In a statement Friday, NASCAR said, "The image of the Confederate flag is not something that should plan an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive.” The General Lee has a Confederate Battle Flag on its roof.

Jones said in response: “At a time when tens of millions of Americans are honoring their Union and Confederate ancestors during this Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, NASCAR has chosen to dishonor those Southerners who fought and died in that terrible conflict by caving to 'political correctness' and the uninformed concerns of corporate sponsors."

He continues, "This is also an extraordinary insult to rural Southerners, who are NASCAR’s oldest and most fervent fan base, and it sends a message against inclusion and against the need for diversity. Many of us who are descended from ancestors who fought for the South see this as a crude dishonoring of our kinfolks and our heritage. Our ancestors were proud Americans who had fought for our nation before the Civil War and have served honorably in every conflict since then."

Jones says, "The Confederate Battle Flag is on display at many National Battlefields and is displayed by countless historical and heritage groups who are descendants of those who fought in that crucible of the American experience."

“'The Dukes of Hazzard' remains a beloved classic television show which is watched by Americans of all races and regions and is watched internationally as an upbeat reflection of the American spirit. It is also watched by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world.

"While it is true that the Confederate Battle Flag has been desecrated by bigots and racists, these groups also misuse the American flag and the Christian cross in their shameless rituals. The vast majority of the display of the St. Andrews Cross Flag is in a benign spirit of remembrance and reverence.

"I am a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, a Life Member of the NAACP, and a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As a cast member of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' and the owner of several 'General Lees,' I can attest that the car and our show reflect the very best of American values, and that Hazzard County was a place where racism was not tolerated.

"This action by NASCAR is a provocative and unnecessary over-reaction to a problem that doesn’t exist. It is a disgraceful and gratuitous insult to a lot of very decent people. It is prejudicial toward those good-hearted folks who, like Uncle Jesse Duke, are in fact 'never meanin’ no harm.'"

Jones closes this message to fans with: 

Please read this and contact NASCAR at fanfeedback@NASCAR.COM with your feelings. Please be respectful in your comments.

Thanks, Ben aka "Cooter"

BRB discusses the smartest comic book characters on TV's "Fantastic Forum"

Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV is loving her time on the "Fantastic Forum" TV show, a truly fab weekly series that is Washington, D.C.-based but oh-so global. In episode 33, she participates in a panel discussion about who in the comics world has the brains (and yes, she did say Oracle -- don't hate, now!). Check it out ...

Watch the latest "Fantastic Forum" episodes at the NCC1727 channel on YouTube.

John Schneider launches new blog

Dubbing himself "The Performer," our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," Mr. John Schneider, has started up a new blog. He says, "I am here to offer points of view on most any subject related to entertainment, performing, movies, television, writing, magic, music or juggling. Been in the business of all that for over four decades and may surprise you." And these posts so far are pretty real.

Check it out:
http://iconicobservations.blogspot.com

Catch BRB's new Chic Geek blog column

She's geekin' out, that's for sure. And actually, she's always been quite the chic geek -- and proud of it! (Remember that one entry in the yearly My Mother's Clothing project?) One of the great new 2012 activities for Billie Rae Bates of BRBTV is the Chic Geek column on the Ooh Lifestyle blog. It's a look at how technology enhances our lives.

Check out the first post at http://oohlifestyle.com/2012/02/meet-the-chic-geek/. BRB will be posting twice a month -- the regular Chic Geek column on the second Wednesday and a "Top Rated" gadget profile on the second Tuesday. So geek out in a very chic way along with her!