Lifestyle

   Schools across Matagorda County are launching a new initiative in partnership with the From the Heart Fund for Matagorda County, to address the growing concern of students’ social and emotional well-being.  
   Many students face ongoing and chronic trauma, due to poverty, community violence, and multiple other factors.  
   Students who struggle with these issues are at high risk.  
   As schools continue to strive to develop a learning environment that is safe for all students and faculty, they are focusing more frequently on the long-term behavioral health needs of all children in schools.   
   The From the Heart Fund, in partnership with Matagorda County school districts, invites families and community members to learn more about this “Community Partnership for Student Well-being” at one of the upcoming community meetings: 
   Feb. 18, Palacios ISD secondary school cafeteria at 100 Shark Drive, 6:30-7 p.m.

   Judge Craig Estlinbaum, 130th Judicial District Court Judge, will co-chair South Texas Law Review’s 25th Annual Ethics Symposium at the South Texas College of Law Houston campus on Feb. 8. 
   He is sharing chair duties with Geoffrey Corn, Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law Houston.
The symposium features a high-level exchange of ideas and information among law professors, elected officials and practicing attorneys on topics relating to the attorney’s ethical obligations in criminal law practice and representation. 
The Law Review has scheduled Estlinbaum to moderate a panel on ethics in pre-trial proceedings and a panel on ethics in criminal law & immigration.  
   He will also contribute an essay for publication in the journal’s upcoming symposium issue. 
Other topics presented at the symposium include best practices in indigent defense and ethical considerations in conviction integrity. 

   AUSTIN - Working with mental health officials and local law enforcement, Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has filed a set of bills to promote Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) cooperation and coordination with those involved in the criminal justice system.  
   If passed, SB 632 would facilitate better communication between peace officers who often are on the front lines of mental health issues and local community providers. 
   “Local law enforcement is increasingly finding themselves at the nexus of mental health issues across our state,” said Kolkhorst.  
    “Texans with mental health issues are often warehoused in local jails after an episode rather than receiving appropriate treatment. 
   “This disconnect means that law enforcement must conduct screenings related to suicide and mental health issues and left unaware or unable to access available mental health services.  

   I went in to see “Miss Bala” blind.
   As in, I hadn’t seen the trailer or did much more than reading a vague synopsis off the movie theater’s website.
   Cue instant confusion when the opening credits claimed that it was based off another movie with a similar name. 
   Still, I sat through the action-packed cartel flick and enjoyed it more than I expected.
   The film stars Gina Rodriguez, Cristina Rodlo, Ismael Cruz Córdova, and Anthony Mackie, and follows a woman who trains to take down a Mexican drug cartel after they kidnap her friend.
   Gloria Fuentes (Rodriguez), is a Latin-American makeup artist from Los Angeles that visits her best friend Suzu (Rodlo) in Tijuana, Mexico. 
   When the pair go to a night club, they spot the Chief of Police, who Suzu wants to impress to help her chances in a beauty competition she has entered. 
   When Gloria goes to the bathroom, armed gunmen break into the bathroom through the vents. 

   The first Hungry Moon Food Truck Fest will be from 2-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9 at LeTulle Park.
   The event is rain or shine and features live entertainment.
   “Join as we kick back and relax under the Crescent Hungry Moon and enjoy great food sold by local and regional food and beverage trucks,” said Kelly Penewitt, Parks and Recreation Supervisor in a press release. 
   The scheduled music lineup includes Adriana Live and acoustical sets by Aaron Kantor and KG Williams.
   This is a family-friendly event and dogs on leashes are welcome.
   There will be seating under the oaks in the food truck area. 
   “Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to claim a perfect spot in the music meadow,” she added.
   “Parking is $10 per car.”  
   For more information about the event, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 979-323-1660.

   St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Bay City, welcomed the Reverend Jack Myers as the church’s new Priest.  
   Jack and his wife Joan, in photo above, came from Lake Charles, La., where Jack was the Priest at Good Shepard Episcopal Church & school for the last 14 years.  The Myers are originally mid-westerners and previously have served Episcopal Church’s in Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania. 
   Jack, 62, has a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, from Allegheny College, and a Masters of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary of Chicago. 
   The Myers have two grown sons, Ben, of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Matt of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
   St. Marks Episcopal Church, Bay City, was established in 1896, and the Reverend Jack Myers will become the 14th Priest over its 123-year history.

   Palacios hosts the third annual “Matagorda Bay Birdfest,” Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-18.
   This event is open to the public and aims to benefit the Palacios Pavilion.
   “Birdfest aims to Connect People, Birds and Nature; Celebrates the diversity of regional bird species as evidenced by Audubon’s CBC; Creates active involvement in science and art; Encourages awareness and stewardship of the Matagorda Bay ecosystem,” claims the Birdfest website.
   There will be several guest speakers, a youth art program, kayak and birding tours, food and vendors.
   Guest speaker sessions will be from 1:30-5:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the East Side Annex building.

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   Agencies and organizations providing low, or no-cost services to Matagorda County residents will be part of a free service fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Bay City USO Service Center.
   “There are a growing number of Matagorda County residents who depend upon low, or no-cost assistance in order to maintain a secure and/or enriching life for themselves and their families,” said Willie Younger, event co-chair.
   Younger encourages interested parties to sign up as part of the service fair
   “Therefore, you, or another designated representative (or representatives), are cordially invited to showcase the unique, potentially essential, services that your organization, agency or house of worship provides to our area’s deserving citizens, while participating in the second annual Matagorda County Service Fair,” he said. 
   This no-charge, “Show-and-Tell” forum is designed with three important goals in mind: