Community Bulletin Board for Jan. 18-24

BCISD Substitute Teacher Orientation set for Jan. 19

BCISD Substitute Teacher Orientation will be Thursday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the BCISD Administration Building, 1031 W. Roundbunch Rd. Applications must be processed before attending this orientation. The application for substitute teacher can be found at http://www.bridgecityisd.net under the Human Resources tab or by visiting the BCISD Administration Building. Once the application is processed a Fast Pass Fingerprint form will be issued. All substitute teachers must be fingerprinted as required by the State of Texas.

Red Hot Flashers to meet Jan. 19

The Red Hot Flashers of Orange County will meet Jan. 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the New York Pizza in Vidor, Texas, for their regular meeting. The birthday lady is: Lady Cha Cha, Marcie Baca. We will be celebrating the new year. All ladies are welcome. For information, please call 409-886-1609.

OC Master Gardeners to meet Jan. 19, 21

The Orange County Master Gardeners will have a meet and greet at their new greenhouse facility on FM 1442 at Jewel Cormier Park from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 19 and 21.

The community is invited to come out and visit with the Master Gardeners, see their new greenhouses and learn what it is to be a Master Gardener. If plants, gardening and horticulture fascinate you, they would love for you to come check us out.

The Orange County Master Gardeners are located in Orangefield between St. Helen Catholic Church and the railroad tracks south off IH10 Exit 869 and north off FM 105 from Bridge City.

For more information, please visit their website, http://txmg.org/orange

Fraternal Order of Eagles to host pool tournament, dance

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, located at 903 N. 28th Street in Orange, will host a pool tournament Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. and a dance on Saturday, Jan 21 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Cover charge for the dance will be $5 per person and $10 per couple. The kitchen will have food available.

Fraternal Order of Eagles to host benefit

The Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Eagle Riders will host a benefit on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Darrell Boudreaux to help with medical expenses. Barbecue lunches will be sold for $7, games for prizes, an auction and the Three Legged Dog will be providing the entertainment. The Fraternal Order of Eagles is located at 803 N. 28th Street in Orange. For more information, please call or text Tim Martin, President of the Eagle Riders at 902-6667, or Sharon Bodin, Chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary at 719-7763.

“Home Sweet Home” opening reception at the Dishman

The Dishman Art Museum at Lamar University will host an opening reception for “Home Sweet Home: Works by Jasmyne Graybill” from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 20.

“Home Sweet Home” features sculptures by San Antonio artist Graybill that borrow from the familiar forms of fungus, lichen and mold to reflect the intrinsic beauty of natural growth and decay.

Graybill invents and sculpts fictional organisms that graft onto domestic objects, challenging notions of synthetic and organic, real and imagined.

These works show that through the passage of time, man-made objects may be overtaken by nature.

The exhibition will run through Feb. 23.

Light refreshments will be served at the reception.

Admission and parking are free.

The Dishman Art Museum is located at 1030 East Lavaca, Beaumont, Texas.

Call (409) 880-8959 for more information or visit lamar.edu/dishman.

Free Credit Repair Saturday set for Jan. 21 at LSCO

Southeast Texas Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) announces “Free Credit Repair Saturday” on Saturday, Jan. 21. The day will consist of free one-on-one credit counseling and financial education sessions about Identity Theft Detection and Prevention, Predatory Lending, Consumer Law, Budgeting and Credit Basics.

The free event will be held at the Student Center on the Lamar State College Orange campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

AEI is the FDIC’s national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners across the country to bring all underbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream. AEI believes all consumers should have reasonable access to full service banking and other financial services.

Pre-registration for “Free Credit Repair Saturday” is not required, but is suggested. Registration forms are available at Beaumont and Port Arthur public libraries and the Workforce Solutions Center. To pre-register or to get more information, call Buddy at 409-896-8528 or fax your contact information to 409-898-2289, Attn: Buddy.

Palm Garden health fair set for Jan. 26

Palm Garden Apartments at 1727 N. 37th St. in Orange is hosting their 3rd Annual Health Fair on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Palm Garden Apartments Club House. There will be community service groups and health agencies to answer health questions and offer information on a range of subjects. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be given away. For more information contact Cheryl Crawford at 409-883-8539

AARP income tax assistance program offered

The AARP Tax Filing Assistance Program will begin Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 12:15 p.m. in the Orange Public Library. Trained volunteers will be available from 12:15 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 13th.

Anyone seeking assistance should bring the following: all W-2 and 1099 forms, including Social Security benefits and statements; records of Capital gains and losses; receipts of medical expenses, taxes paid, interest paid, contributions, casualty and theft losses, job expenses, sales tax receipts for major purchases and Social Security cards for dependents; a copy of your 2010 tax return, which will be very helpful for the volunteers assisting in the preparations of the 2011 return.

Electronic filing will be available. No tax returns will be started after 4 p.m.

Glenn Pearson Alumni Basketball Game set for Feb. 4

The 5th Annual Glenn Pearson Alumni Basketball Game will be held Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the BCHS gym. All former basketball players who lettered one year in the varsity program are encouraged to attend and/or play. Those interested may contact Coach Knight at [email protected] or call 409 735-1644. Mr. Pearson will be in attendance and he would thoroughly enjoy seeing all former basketball players and other students of Bridge City High School.

Deadline for BCISD Board of Trustees Application approaches

The deadline to file applications for be placed on Bridge City I.S.D School Board of Trustees. Regular (special) election ballot may be filed during the following time: Feb. 6 to March 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off or mail applications to Bridge City I.S.D., Superintendents Office, 1031 W. Roundbunch, Bridge City, Tx 77611.

Hunter Education Safety Class set for Feb. 6

Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Home Study Safety Class Field part will be held on Monday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. in Orange. Participants are required to complete the home student computer sections, print completed tests and bring them to the class. To register or for more information, please call Danny Odom at 409-883-8118.

This class is not just for hunters, but anyone who handles firearms can benefit from it.

BCHS to offer senior parent financial aid workshop

The Counselors at Bridge City High School will host its annual Senior Parent Financial Aid Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 9,, at 6:30 p.m.

in the cafeteria at Bridge City High School.

This program is designed to assist students and parents with the completion of the FAFSA Application, as well as to inform them of other financial assistance options for college education.

A financial aid representative will be available after the workshop to answer questions and schedule individual follow-up appointments to assist families in submitting the FAFSA. Also, please do not forget to check on scholarship information in the Counselor’s Office or on our website at http://www.bridgecityisd.net.

Call 409-735-1617 for additional information.

Chuck Young Alumni Classic scheduled for Feb. 11

The Bridge City Baseball Program will host the Chuck Young Alumni Classic along with an Alumni Homerun Derby on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at Cardinal Field. The Home Run Derby will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will cost $20 to enter. The game will be held a noon. Game shirts will cost $10. Any former Cardinal baseball players interested in participating in either event please contact Chris Moore at [email protected] All former Bridge City Baseball coaches are welcome to come out and see their former players. For more information visit the BC baseball website at http://bridgecitycardinalbaseball.webs.com/

Christian Women’s Job Corps to host spring classes

Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC, “offering a hand up not a hand out”), serving the Golden Triangle will be having Orientation Day at the Orange Site, located at 2300 41st Street, (room # 37) Orange, TX 77630 with Spring Classes resuming on Feb. 15 at 10 a.m.

The organization, which was started in 1997, has had a tremendous success rate of helping women from all walks of life improve that their quality. We have been in the Golden Triangle since 2005 and the modern Orange site is a wonderful job skill site, offering free of charge, job skills such as computer skills, resume writing, interview techniques, job etiquette, business and banking, crafts, as well as a Bible study, with a graduation ceremony complete with certificate at completion.

Each student will also be assigned a personal mentor to accompany them in their journey to wholeness. For more information, please call 409-883-9100.

BCHS Speech and Debate team host family personal protection seminar

The Bridge City High School Speech and Debate presents a Family Personal Protection Seminar instructed by Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Bridge City High School Competition Gym from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The seminar will cost $15 per individual and $35 per family of four; minimum participation age is 6 years old.

T-Shirt will be included for participants who sign up by Jan. 27. All proceeds will go to Bridge City High School

For more information, please contact Elyse Thibodeaux with Tiger Rock Martial Arts at 409-920-1462 or contact Jennifer Clarke with Bridge City Speech and Debate at 409-735-1600.

Girl’s Haven Gumbo Cook-off set for Feb. 25

Girl’s Haven is excited to announce that their 18th Annual Gumbo Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25. They will hold their annual gumbo cook-off to be held in the Parkdale Mall parking lot in Beaumont. This year’s entry fee will be a $100 donation to Girl’s Haven per team to secure a 10x10 space or $150 donation to Girl’s Haven per team to secure a 10x20 space. Spaces are available to those (businesses or persons) wishing to participate as cook team.

Gumbo will be judged in three categories: seafood, poultry and combination. There will also be a People’s Choice award given.

The Gumbo is schedule for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Live entertainment will be provide by Texas 80 Proof, Lamar Port Arthur, Stone Cold and other live entertainment. They will also be hosting Sonny “The Bird Man” for a live show. There will be a kid’s area with carnival like games that fun for the whole family. Gumbo tickets are sold on-site. Admission and parking is free. A large bowl or four small bowls of different gumbo is cost $7.

Sponsor’s include YMBL, SETMA, Quality Mat, Valero, Lamar Advertising and Clear Channel Radio, as well as many others.

For more information on cook teams or sponsorships, please call Alice Teeler or Pati Crittenden at Girl’s Haven at 409-832-6223.

American Legion to host pool tournament

The American Legion Lloyd Grubbs Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave. in Orange, will be hosting a pool tournament every Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight. There is a ten player maximum. The community is encouraged to join in the fun and free food to help support the Veterans. For more information, call 409-330-4847.

Orange Community Band to meet every Thursday

The Orange Community Band rehearses every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, located at 4103 Meeks Drive in Orange. They are in need of players for the following sections; flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, and percussion, but ALL are welcome! The band performs Christmas, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day concerts. At least one traditional band concert is performed annually. Please visit us on Facebook at Orange Community Band.

BCCC now accepting Business, Citizen of Year applications

Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year. Please submit all nominations in writing to Bridge City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 150 W. Roundbunch Rd, Bridge City, Tx. 77611. Deadline to submit nominations will be Feb. 8, 2012.

Rape and Suicide Crisis Center to offer support group meetings

The Rape and Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas will be hosting a support group for female survivors of sexual assault the first and third Wednesday of every month, starting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings will be held at the Foundation of Southeast Texas building, located at 700 North St. in downtown Beaumont.

To RSVP or for further information, please contact the Crisis Center at 409-832-6530.

BCISD to administer Credit by Examination

Bridge City ISD, in accordance with Chapter 74.24 TAC, will administer the Texas Tech University Credit by Examination Tests.

Testing dates will be June 5, 6 and 7, 2012.

Students in grades first through fifth will be allowed to take each of the five tests (Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies) at the elementary level without prior instruction.

The student must score at least 90 on each of the five four tests to be considered eligible for grade level acceleration.

Students in grades sixth through 12 will be permitted to take an examination to earn credit for an academic course for which they have had no prior instruction.

Students must score at least 90 on the test to receive course credit.

Additional information and registration forms can be obtained by contacting Gina Mannino at: [email protected].

Keep Orange County Beautiful to sponsor E-Waste Collection Day

Keep Orange County Beautiful, in conjunction with Orange County is holding an E-Waste Collection Day on Saturday Jan. 14. The collection will take place in front of the Sears Hometown Store in Orange on MacArthur Drive, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orange County residents are encouraged to use the post-Christmas lull to clear out their back rooms, garages and offices and recycle their electronic waste (“E-Waste”).

E-Waste to be collected that day will include computers and laptops, DVD and VCR and MP3 players, and other electronic gadgets as well as home appliances, televisions and monitors – anything with a plug or a battery.

Not only are the bulk and sizes of these devices bad for our landfills, but all of them contain at least one or two chemicals that can be highly toxic. The need to keep E-waste out of our landfills is becoming a major issue with municipalities and businesses – and should be foremost in the minds of the general public as well.

“We all have old electronics hanging around the house and garage.” Said J David Derosier, Chairman of Keep Orange County Beautiful. “After Christmas this increases because of the new electronic gifts that are received replacing the old ones. We need to make sure that those old ones do not go into the landfill, but are recycled.”

Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) is a non-profit organization whose vision is see Orange County become the cleanest and one of the most beautiful areas in Texas. KOCB has chosen to focus its efforts on two prime areas – Trees and Trash. KOCB’s mission is to educate, organize, and implement programs to achieve its vision. Further information can be found on the website (www.KOCB.org) or email to [email protected].

WOCCISD to offer volunteer training

West Orange – Cove CISD will conduct training on Wednesday, Jan. 18 for individuals interested in becoming volunteers for the District.

Training will be offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All sessions will be held at the Carl Godwin Auditorium. Interested individuals need only attend one session.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 882-5627.

DSHS recommends vaccination as flu season peaks

As the typical peak of the Texas flu season approaches, the Texas Department of State Health Services reminds people to get vaccinated against the flu.

“This has been a fairly mild flu season so far, but that can change quickly,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “We usually see a significant increase in influenza in Texas in January and February, so this is the time to protect yourself.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone at least 6 months old be vaccinated against seasonal flu. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu from spreading. People should also remember to cover all coughs and sneezes, wash their hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer and stay home if they are sick.

Flu symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigue. Most healthy people recover fully, but people 65 and over, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for serious complications and even death. It is especially important for people in those high-risk groups to be vaccinated.

To find out where to get a flu shot, people should contact their health care provider, local health department or dial 2-1-1. Flu information and tips for protecting against the flu are at texasflu.org.