Tara Holley's first on-air experience was at age 3 on a jingle in Temple, Texas. Radio has been a part of her life ever since. She received a BA in Theatre and Communication in 2004 from McMurry University. Her professional journey includes theatre, Neilsen media research, advertising and marketing, creative writing and scripting, and more. However, radio has always been her first professional love. Tara writes about all things East Texas -- including fantastic food, Texas legends and lore, and lifestyle topics. She loves conversation, comedy, coffee, animals, philosophy, and the arts. Her basic life philosophy can be summed up in the words of the great Bill and Ted: “Be Excellent to Each Other.” Tara received the Mayor's ROSE (Recognition of Service and Excellence) Award in 2021 and the President's Club Award for Townsquare Media Tyler in 2021 for Contributor of the Year. She served on the Heart of Tyler Board of Directors from 2017-2022, was a 2-year Chair for the Downtown Tyler Film Festival, and served on the Tyler Civic Theatre Board for several years, as well. She is currently on the Tyler Music Friendly Advisory Board.'
Tara Holley
An Open Letter to People Who Are Grieving During the Holiday Season
When someone we loved dearly has died--someone who contributed to what made the season so joyful, these coming "merry" weeks can seem especially heartbreaking.
Warning–Stalking Crimes at Texas Stores May Increase During Holidays
Sadly, it has become so commonplace to hear of these things, we usually dismiss it. But when it happens in one of our East Texas cities, possibly to someone we know, we take heed.
On a local social media group page, a young Tyler woman shared a frightening experience she had at the Tyler Walmart located at Loop 323 and 64.
Why is This the #1 Most Banned Book in Texas?
In my opinion, books that are overtly sexual in nature don't have a place in elementary schools--or even perhaps in middle schools, for that matter. But here's part of the controversy: different people have different ideas about what 'overtly sexual' means.
We Found the Ultimate Hack to Avoid ‘Dry Turkey Syndrome’
I've used this method many, many times in the past when preparing chicken breasts and it makes all the difference in the world, albeit on a much smaller scale.
Some People in East Texas Gave Out Some…Very Strange Things for Halloween
Sure, Halloween is behind us. But we need to talk about some of the strange things some people in East Texas gave out recently to trick-or-treaters.
If You Don’t Do This, Your Door Dash Order May Take Extra Long in Texas
Perhaps this is a way DoorDash is trying to encourage some to reconsider before opting out of tipping the people driving here and there to deliver your order. Or maybe they just want to reward people who offer more compensation to their drivers. Whatever the case, it may be something you want to consider.
Here are 5 Fun and Spooky, But Family-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Halloween
Although some absolutely love scaring themselves to almost death by watching the scariest horror films available and subjecting themselves to a tour of the most shocking haunted houses, for some, that's a bit *much.*
Is Walmart Planning to Do Away with Self-Checkout in Texas?
In New Mexico, three Walmart locations have done away with self-checkout. Is this the beginning of a new trend that we'll soon see here in Texas?
Zip Code Envy: The 2 Most Desirable Suburbs in Texas
They "ran an online panel survey of 3,000 adults in the U.S. to find out which suburbs across America have the most appeal." Two Texas suburbs made the Top 10.
It’s Surprisingly the No. 1 Most Stolen in Texas, Time to Sell It!
iPhones? Purses or wallets? Maybe a laptop, perhaps?
Actually no. It's something much larger than that.