Lifestyle

   WHARTON – When it comes to learning, Wharton County Junior College Geology Instructor Peter Anderson believes there’s no better way than to get your hands dirty.
   “What students are learning comes to life when they go outside,” Anderson explains.
   Since arriving at WCJC in the spring of 2018, Anderson has organized eight extracurricular excursions through his geology class and the WCJC Adventure Sports and Outdoors Club. 
   Students opting to participate have studied science through kayaking, rock climbing, camping and hiking – activities that Anderson considers the “real world application of geology.”
   Along the way, Anderson stresses the importance of maintaining a positive, respectful relationship with the environment. 
   “We teach them personal responsibility and that’s an added benefit,” he said. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

    Van Vleck ISD trustees unanimously approved the fiscal 2019-2020 budget of $16,892,324 and tax rates during a special meeting, Aug. 26.  
   That budget includes over $11.7 million in general operating costs for instruction, extracurricular activities, and employee salaries.  
   Van Vleck has a minimal food service budget on tap this year as part of the Food and Nutrition Services Department Community Eligibility Program.  
   “All of our students are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches this year,” said VVISD Assistant Superintendent for Finance Gayle Blackmon.  
   “With this grant, as long as the students are eating lunch on campus we’ll be reimbursed.”  
   The adopted total tax rate is $1.19 per $100 housing valuation with 99% expected collection.  
   Blackmon reminded the board about how the tax rate was calculated.  
   “Our appraised value is at $2,216,497,825,” she said.  

   County commissioners court formally approved the fiscal 2019-2020 tax rate and signed off on Sheriff Skipper Osborne’s plan to replace pay-level numbers with ranks at its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 26.  
   The tax rate of 43.342 cents per $100 valuation will increase 2019 property taxes by $1,635,050 or 8.69%.  
   The rate is built into the new fiscal year budget of $26,901,206 that the court approved Aug. 19.  

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   The 100 Club of Matagorda County held its 42nd annual law enforcement awards dinner to recognize local law enforcement personnel and to treat them to a free dinner Friday, Aug. 23.  
   Law enforcement and other special awards were presented to officers of various county and state agencies serving Matagorda County.  
   “We are aware of the risks of what you do for us,” said 100 Club President Steven Reis.  
   “We want to show our appreciation for the job that you do for us and for putting yourselves between us and the threats we face.   
   “You all are running into these stressful and sometimes hazardous situations while the rest of us are running out and that’s commendable.”  
   Reis also explained the history of the 100 Club and why it was formed.  

Mayor Robert Nelson addressed citizens and merchants as part of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s guest speaker luncheon, Aug. 22.  
   Nelson spoke mainly about bringing the community together and working toward a common goal.  
   “We have all different types of people here, but we come together for a common cause,” said Nelson.  
   “We all want what’s best for our family, for ourselves, for our children, for our city; so we have to come together to do that. We have some similarities amongst each other and some differences and those differences are okay.  
   “We need to celebrate those differences and come together to understand each other,” Nelson said.  
   “We should learn to appreciate the differences.”  
   He reminded everyone about his election platform and how he is working to institute those campaign ideals.  
   “So, I ran my campaign on growth, collaboration, and unity,” said Nelson.  

   Angel Has Fallen is an action thriller film and the third installment in the Fallen film series, following Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and London Has Fallen (2016).   
   Even though it’s the third part of a series of films, this one can stand on its own and doesn’t hint too much at the previous films.  
   That way, it appeals to a broader audience base and certainly has some wiggle room.  
   Angel Has Fallen leads the box office at No.1 in its debut weekend with over $21.3 million in domestic theaters and is rated R for violence and language throughout.  
   Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, the film stars Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman, with Jada Pinkett Smith, Lance Reddick, Tim Blake Nelson, Piper Perabo, Nick Nolte and Danny Huston in supporting roles.