Lifestyle

   The Bay City Historic Commission board members unanimously approved two certificates of appropriateness during their monthly meeting Monday afternoon. 
   Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) are required for projects that would alter the exterior appearance of a designated historic property.  
   That includes alterations, additions, demolition or relocation of a landmark or structure within a historic district, or new construction within a historic district. 
   City Councilman Bill Cornman’s COA for the Texas Theater was approved with two provisions - picking an exterior paint color as the project nears completion and searching for a mural rumored to be painted by Forest Bess and preserving it accordingly. 

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   I know that people are excited for the return of “Game of Thrones” for its last season and Easter, but I’m more excited about the movies coming out. 
   This week alone we’ve got the reboot of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” and DC Comic’s “Shazam!” 
   Both of which make it so hard to choose which one I do my movie review on next week. 
   On one hand, there’s the creepy, dark and bloody Pet Sematary flick and on the other, a fairly non-mainstream comic book character brought to life with a weird magic word – Shazam! 
   I’ve read and seen the original Pet Sematary, so I know what I’m in for – hopefully. 
   But, Shazam! is a bit harder to judge at first glance, since I barely remember him from Saturday morning cartoons. 
   I’ll just have to flip a coin to solve that problem and you guys get to read my review next week. 
   Next is the remake of Hellboy, sans Ron Perlman who absolutely made the character awesome. 

   Disney’s live-action “Dumbo” reboot has taken the No. 1 spot in theaters worldwide, garnering over $119 million in one weekend.  
   Dumbo is directed by Tim Burton, with a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger.  
   The film is inspired by Walt Disney’s 1941 animated film of the same name, based on the novel by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.  
   The film stars Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins, and Alan Arkin. 
   In 1919, equestrian performer and World War I amputee, Holt Farrier (Farrell) returns after the war to the Medici Brothers’ Circus, run by Max Medici (DeVito).  
   The circus has run into financial troubles and Medici has been forced to sell the circus’s horses after Holt’s wife and co-performer, Annie passed away – leaving their two children behind in the care of the circus troupe. 
   So, Medici reassigns Holt as the caretaker for the circus’s pregnant elephant, Mrs. Jumbo. 

   The annual Matagorda County LEPC Community Safety Expo “Block Party” will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the STP Center for Energy Development, 4000 Ave. F. 
   The LEPC Block Party gives citizens and families an opportunity to meet their local emergency management team and first responders. 
   Many displays will be set up in the parking lot including Red Cross, United Way, TCEQ, For the Love of Animals, Markham Industrial Group and more. 
   Every hour in the auditorium guest speakers giving very informative presentations. 
   Jackson County Sheriff Andy Louderback will give a presentation at 10 a.m. on Human/Drug Trafficking. 
   At 11 a.m. Dan Reilly with the National Weather Service will talk about Weather/Hurricane/Flood preparedness. 
   A “Touch a Truck” exhibit will also be in the parking area where everyone is invited to see vehicles up close and put your hands on them. 

   Wellness Matagorda County, Inc. will host its annual 5K and 10K Fun Run, Family Stroll and Walk on Saturday, April 13. 
   Registration is at 6:30 a.m. with a warm-up activity featuring Abby McConaha and Ronnie Arnold at 7:15 a.m. 
   The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the run begins 8 a.m. at MRMC Wellness and Rehabilitation, 135 Medical Center Dr. 
   All participants are encouraged to wear their loudest, funniest or silliest swim shorts or running shorts. 
   Registration is $30 per person the day of the race and adding a friend is only $15. 
   Students with a valid ID and students under the age of 18 with a valid ID cost $10 each with $5 per additional friend. 
   Family Stroll participants are $25 per family member with children five and under free or charge. 
   All participants receive a T-shirt, certificate of participation, and water to drink. 

   The Annual Spring Matagorda Beach cleanup is set for Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. – noon at Jetty Park on Matagorda Beach. 
   “This is a very fun and worthwhile event for all ages,” said Peggy Stanley, Matagorda Beach cleanup coordinator. 
   “I’m hoping for the same number of volunteers as last year or more. More would be wonderful!” 
   Sargent Beach is also hosting a cleanup with the same hours at County Park, 457 and CR 230; otherwise known as Canal Drive. 
   Both cleanups have check in starting at 8:30 a.m. 
   Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags for trash collecting. 
   All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen, bug repellant and plenty of drinking water just in case. 
   Local Scout troops can also receive a merit badge for participating in the cleanup on the day of the event. 

   Spring always brings about many wanted and longed-for changes in warmer, dryer days with a little more time in the afternoons after work.  
   Following the previous long, wet winter, sunshine and shoes other than rubber boots are a welcomed reprieve.  
   With this being the long end of the stick, there is always a short end to keep us humble.  
   With the weather conditions doing an about face, we have some decisions to make so as to minimize the time exposed to the newly fledging mosquitoes.  
   The ample moisture and warmer temperatures of winter lead into a firestorm of other issues that you may be facing as we are already beginning April!  
   Fungi loves warm, damp conditions with anything other than direct sunlight.  
   This Gulf Coast resident will find its way into every nook and cranny and cause problems if left unchecked.  
   Fungi is a limiting production concern for grass, fruit and nut trees, and so much more.