Lifestyle

   Do you have an old or new sports injury causing painful problems?
   What about needing some deep tissue massage or hot stone treatments?
   Check out Bay City’s new massage therapist at “Body Work Massage.”
   Located at 1715 8th St. in Bay City, the office books appointments via phone at 979-574-9873 with business hours Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
   Owner Marian Cannon says that being a massage therapist has always been her dream.
   “I always wanted to do this ever since I was in high school,” said Cannon.
   “I just didn’t think it would happen. After getting married and having kids, I found myself wanting to do something more that made me happy, too.”
   Cannon and her family moved from College Station to Bay City seven years ago.

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   Tidehaven ISD trustees approved extending federal COVID-19 leave through the end of June 2021 during their regular meeting, Dec.15.
   “Even though the federal leave is expiring at the end of this month the board approved the same criteria to qualify for the 10 days of paid leave,” said TISD Superintendent Dr. Andrew Seigrist.
   “They also included a local designation for those who are sent home to quarantine under the rules of the Texas Education Agency for close contact.”
   Seigrist added that the paid leave is for 10 days only.
   “Most all of the COVID-positive cases in the district staff have recovered and most of the staff sent home for close contact have finished their TEA-required quarantine periods and have returned to work,” he added.
   “We have very few COVID-19 positive cases in the district at this time, whether those are staff or students.”

   The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the way we receive, view and pay for entertainment. 
   Concert venues, entertainment centers and theaters have been struggling to make ends meet since March and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. 
   I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of “Wonder Woman 1984” since they mentioned the film going into production and then when it was promised to hit theaters earlier this year. 
   Like other projected blockbuster films it’s been pushed back and met a split audience – some saw it in theaters and others at home via streaming through HBO Max. 
   We chose to stream this time and were relatively surprised at the quality, especially since our internet service provider is less than ideal. 
   Overall, I enjoyed the movie for its over-indulgence of 1980s American life, but the storyline was subpar and villain CGI left a lot to be desired. 

   Ansley Kubecka of Palacios, was recently crowned 2021 Texas Teen Miss United States Agriculture. 
   Ansley, 13, is the daughter of Mark and Amy Kubecka, and is 7th grader at Palacios Jr. High School.
   She is an honor student and a member of the Gifted & Talented program. 
   Ansley plays basketball, volleyball, and is a cheerleader for the Palacios Sandsharkettes. She serves as Student Council Secretary. 
   She is a member of several UIL Academic teams and the Palacios Jr. FFA. 
   As an active 4-H member, Ansley is the Matagorda County 4-H Council Secretary and the 2nd Vice-President of the Round-Up 4-H Club. 
   She raises market steers, and both commercial steers and heifers. Her high level of participation and volunteerism for the Matagorda County Fair and Livestock Association earned her the title of 2020 Fair Princess. 

   The Lower Colorado River Authority has donated $26,000 to more than two dozen local food banks in 22 counties throughout its service territory.
LCRA contributed $1,000 each to 26 food banks to help provide food for people in need.
   “This year has been one of extraordinary challenges,” said Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager. 
   “The need for help continues to rise, especially during the holidays, and food banks across our region are working hard to provide for people and families through these difficult times. We are pleased to be able to help support their important work.”
   The recipient food banks are in Bastrop, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Hays, Kimble, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Mason, Matagorda, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba, Tom Green, Waller, Washington and Wharton counties.

Matagorda County Agriculture News and Happenings
January/February 2021
   Howdy All! To get the opportunity to put 2021 is refreshing to be able to put 2020 in the rearview mirror is a blessing for most of us. 
   Moving forward with 2021, many things will look similar to the previous nine months with regard to public safety and precautionary accommodations to events and activities. 
   Much of what Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will remain the same as in the recent past in that programming will be in a hybrid format when possible with others being completely virtual. 
   Day to day business is in a dynamic mode in that as county precautionary status levels fluctuate, services follow the line. 
   This office will continue to serve in any and all capacities within capabilities outlined in safety protocols. 
   All is not for naught. 

   City Council has approved a new agreement to allow private and commercial rentals of the historic 1942 USO Building, beginning Jan. 1. 
   The building is at 2105 Avenue M and has been updated within recent years with a new roof, paint, air conditioning, flooring and other amenities creating an attractive venue that lends itself to more upscale events.
   Built in 1942, the USO Building was to serve men stationed at Camp Hulen near Palacios, and at Foster Field towards Victoria, but it also served the entire community through many social events.  
   The Bay City USO was one of 273 new construction projects or renovations undertaken under the Community Facilities Act. 
   Of the 15 built on the Gulf Coast, the Bay City USO is the only remaining building of that group. 
   The building was awarded a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation in 1999 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. 

   AUSTIN - With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing Texans to carefully navigate family events, those living in isolation are facing a holiday season unlike any other.  
   In response to emergency rules that have limited family access to long-term care facilities, State Representative James B. Frank (R - Wichita Falls) and State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R - Brenham) today filed HB 892, HJR 46, SB 267 and SJR 19 in an effort to strengthen the rights of facility residents to maintain contact and personal visits with their loved ones during state emergencies. 
   During the response to COVID-19, earlier this year Texas issued emergency rules that restricted access to long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and state supported living centers, even if there were no cases of the illness present.