George Lucas' new movie, Red Tails, is about America's World War II African American combat pilots -- the Tuskegee Airmen -- who took to the skies under the leadership of Col. A.J. Bullard. Santa Fe's own Jim Terr interviewed one of the Red Tails pilots, the late Bob Lawrence, for NPR in 1998. The resulting video (including the stories of 11 other veterans) was distributed around the state to middle schools, high schools and libraries.

Listen to excerpts or order your copy of In Their Own Words: 12 Veterans of World War II at www.bluecanyonproductions.com/ww2.html.

Country music star Randy Travis, known and loved by countless Santa Feans, as well as legions of fans around the globe, is celebrating his silver anniversary in showbiz, which kicked off last June with the release of his 25th Anniversary Celebration CD. He's now a client of management giants Ken Levitan, of Vector Management, and Jeff Davis, of Sum Management. As far as we know, Travis still maintains his Santa Fe home, discreetly tucked away on an East Side side street. Visit www.randytravis.com for more information.

Two Santa Feans placed in the annual American Photography Competition at the Hubbard Museum of the American West (formerly the Museum of the Horse) in Ruidoso Downs, N.M. Steven Jackson took second place for Harvey House Girls' Residence, as well as the museum's purchase award for The Church, Golden, NM. Mary Anna Keshen won honorable mention for Sunset June 9 2011 Las Conchas Fire.

They've done it again -- Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, that is. The best-selling writing team's new thriller -- Gideon's Corpse -- takes place in looming, ominous New York City and looming, ominous, mountainous New Mexico. Preston, a former Santa Fe resident and frequent visitor, and a grand master of bloodcurdling words, will sign copies of the book from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in the Tesuque Room at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. Boo!

According to the celeb-tracking website TMZ, Gene Hackman was riding his Trek mountain bike in the Florida Keys last week when he was hit by a car. The mangled machine was taken to Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours, TMZ says -- but while Hackman's going to have it completely repaired, he will keep the broken and bent pieces as a souvenir.

Got mitote? Email elmitote@sfnewmexican.com. We want to hear from you.