MAKING THEIR WAY THE ONLY WAY THEY KNOW HOW

Ahhh spring. Clouds and hail give way to sun and heat. Flowers bloom. The swallows return to San Juan Capistrano. And the models return to Santa Cruz.

MEANWHILE: Ben "Cooter" Jones is none too happy with Warner Bros. and their upcoming Dukes of Hazzard movie:

"I told them I'm interested in being involved in any way I can," Jones says. "I know more about this show than anybody. I'm a person that cares about the work that I have done, and a project that I was involved in for 25 years. I understand the audience. They are me. We're the same."

"I wrote this long thoughtful piece about how and why this works and what people expect when they see that name 'Dukes of Hazzard,' " Jones says. "Of course, they blew me off; didn't even respond to it.

"Now, I know several presidents extremely well. I've met lots of heads of state who will answer my phone calls. I know Nelson Mandela. I've been in war zones. I stood in Tiananmen Square and hung a banner for democracy on behalf of the Chinese people. I've been out there. And these people -- these guys! -- won't answer my phone call."