Lifestyle

   State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst focused on a series of topics of high agriculture interest at the Gulf Coast regional Cattlemen’s Workshop & Trade Show, Jan. 17.
   The Brenham senator was one of four speakers at the event’s dinner program attended by an estimated 400 people – many of whom are involved in Matagorda County cattle raising.
   Kolkhorst has been actively working on flood-mitigation projects in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
   “Twenty of the 21 counties affected by Harvey are in my district,” Kolkhorst told those attending annual workshop at the Bay City Civic Center.
   She said the federal government will provide $4.2 billion in flood relief that will be “dispersed fairly to the rural parts of the state” will be available through the General Land Office.

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 Longtime health professional Renee Savage and District Judge Craig Estlinbaum were honored as Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s 2019 woman and man of the year, respectively, at the annual chamber banquet Thursday, Jan. 16.
   Aaron Fox, the chamber’s 2020 chairman, served as master of ceremonies for the evening, guiding the audience of about 400 people through outstanding citizen and student presentations from throughout Matagorda County.
Woman of the Year Renee Savage
   “Our woman of the year leads ancillary service operations for the Matagorda County Hospital District,” said presenter Marilyn Sitz, who received the honor last year. 
   “She also co-chairs Wellness Matagorda County Inc., which is an organization committed to promoting community wellness. 
   “Our woman of the year has her sights set on a countywide effort to bring an aquatic center Matagorda County.

   The annual “Wild Game and Wine Camofest” will be from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 downtown in Bay City on Avenue G and Sixth Street.
   Tickets are on sale now at baycitycamofest.com and can be picked up from 9 a.m. to noon or 2-4 p.m. Jan. 21-23 at 1112 7th Street in Bay City or at the will call booth the day of the event.
   Camofest honors Matagorda County native Forest Bess, who helped develop camouflage during World War II.
   Camofest is a rain or shine event and admission is free to the overall event.

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   Cherry Elementary is a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School nominee for 2019-2020. Cherry won the honor in 2018-19 and 2017-18.
   Through the National Showcase Schools awards, the Flippen Group recognizes and celebrates schools that go the extra mile each day, creating the socio-emotional safety on school campuses that is conducive to learning.
   Capturing Kids’ Hearts is an immersive, participatory experience where teachers, staff, and administrators learn and practice skills they use and model in their classrooms, schools, and districts.
   The Flippen Group is a national professional development provider operating on principles that research clearly demonstrates – that students are most likely to succeed when they are emotionally safe and able to reconnect with their natural curiosity.

   The Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking applications for the 2020 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards.
   The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 6.
   The Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards recognize innovative strategies and projects in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving water quality.
   Awards will be given in four categories: Planning and Policy; Education and Public Awareness; Built Projects greater than $500,000 and Built Projects that are less than $500,000.
   Eligible applicants include local governments; businesses and industry; non-profit organizations; universities and educational institutions; and utility districts.
   Projects in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties are eligible for recognition.

   The 13th Annual Chicken Fried Steak Dinner Crisis Center fundraiser will be from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bay City.
   Plates are $10 each dine-in or drive-through and feature chicken fried steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and homemade cookies.
   This year, the center added a new dinner feature – two free beer or wine tickets for those that choose to dine in as long as you are 21 years or older.
   For tickets call 979-245-9109 or stop by the Crisis Center at 3010 Sixth St. in Bay City.
   Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

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   “Bad Boys for Life” is an action comedy film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and is the sequel to Bad Boys II (2003) in the Bad Boys franchise. 
   That means the 15-year wait is finally over! 
   I’ve been a fan of the Bad Boys franchise since the very beginning and they really haven’t messed with the formula – plenty of bullets, explosions and comedic banter. 
   The film was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Smith, and Doug Belgrad. 
   The movie stars Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Núñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Jacob Scipio, Rory Markham, Ivo Nandi, and Joe Pantoliano. 
   Set 17 years after the last film in 2020, Miami detective Marcus Burnett (Lawrence), who just witnessed the birth of his grandson, tells his partner Mike Lowrey (Smith) his intentions to retire, much to Mike’s chagrin. 

   This Friday and Saturday Jan. 24-25 are your last chances to catch the Community Actors of South Texas (CAST) production “Night on Broadway: Jazz it up!”
   The production is billed as “a night of all your Jazz favorites” and features new and returning CAST singers.
   The dinner theater showcase starts at 6 p.m. and is directed by Dr. Kara Cowart with tickets at $40 per person.
   Tickets are available in advance at Green Brothers Jewelry or online at baycitycast.com for the Bay City Country Club venue.
   Performers chose from a variety of music from Broadway jazz classics or any jazz song of their choice for the dinner theater event.

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   The unveiling and dedication of the Tim Powell Room at the Bay City Civic Center took place at STP’s annual Leadership Conference on Friday, Jan. 10.
   The room was named in honor of Powell, STP president and CEO, for his dedication to STP and the local community.
   Al Capristo, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, presided over the room dedication ceremony and Powell’s wife, Page, assisted with the unveiling of the room’s signage and dedication plaque.
“We are very proud to be able to honor our CEO with this dedication,” said Capristo. 
   “His commitment to both STP and Bay City serves as an example of the positive impact that a person can make on their community. 
   “Tim lives STP’s core values of safety, integrity, teamwork and excellence every day and now this room will stand as a testament to his service.” 

   A vehicle stopped on Hasema Road led deputies to question the occupants, search the vehicle and arrest two men on drug charges and one on a weapon charge Thursday, Jan. 16, sheriff’s records show.
   Deputy Christopher Holliday and Reserve Deputy Ron Ballenger saw the vehicle while on patrol on Hasema Road, which is northeast of Van Vleck near the Brazoria County line, just before 1 p.m. Thursday 
   The deputies stopped and checked on the vehicle’s occupants, two men.
   While Holliday talked with them he saw a clear plastic bag with crystal like substance that appeared to be methamphetamines in the passenger’s side front seat, reports show.
   The deputies then detained both men and investigated the vehicle, finding a .380-caliber handgun, beside the driver’s side seat, and also discovered more narcotics, sheriff’s records indicate.