Community Bulletin Board

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.

Orange Historical Society to meet Feb. 7

The Orange Historical Society will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Orange Public Library. Dayle Ezell Foreman will talk about some old artifacts concerning the history of Orange. The public is invited to attend. For more information, please call Ed Henry at 883-4115 or 779-3649.

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.

Art in the Park scheduled for March 24

The 10th Annual Art in the Park is being planned by the Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau. March 24 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Artists, crafters, bands along with other activities will create this year’s one-day event.

There will be pony rides, a petting zoo and if weather cooperates a couple of bounce houses will be available for entertainment for children. Blues and jazz bands will play throughout the day and evening. Plans will also include a Barbershop Quartet and a Bagpipe Band strolling thru Stark Park as additional entertainment. Of course, food vendors will be on site all day.

For registration forms and details, please call 409-883-1011, 409-883-1010 or 800-528-4906 or stop by the office at 803 Green Avenue, Orange, Texas.

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].

American Legion to host fish lunch Feb. 2

On Thursday, Feb. 2, the American Legion Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave., will hold a plate lunch fundraiser. Lunch will consist of fish, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, bread and dessert for $7 per plate. Walk-ins are welcome and delivery is available. Call 409-886-1241 after noon on Feb. 1 and before 9 a.m. on Feb. 2 for delivery.

All proceeds go back into the American Legion Post 49 which is a non profit Veteran Organization.

BCCC accepting nominations for Business, Citizen of the Year

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for Business & Citizen of the Year through Wednesday, Feb. 8 ,. All nominations need to be in a sealed envelope marked to the attention of the nominating committee, either mailed or delivered to the chamber office at 150 West Roundbunch, Bridge City, TX 77611. Current office hours are Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m. However, if no one is there you may place it in the mail slot.

The Business of the Year & Citizen of the Year awards will be given to a deserving business and citizen in recognition of their outstanding contributions directly to the City of Bridge City/Orangefield Area during the past year. The award recipients will be honored at the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet to be held on March 8, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

Criteria for the Business of the Year -The narrative and supportive materials should stress how the business’s volunteer efforts benefited the quality of life within the community, and describe how the nominee displayed exemplary:

• Staying power: A substantiated history as an established business

• Growth in number of employees: A benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the job market.

• Increase in sales and/or unit growth: An indication of continued growth.

• Innovativeness of product or service offered: Illustrations of the creativity and imagination of the nominee.

• Response to adversity: Example of problems faced in the business and the methods used to solve them.

• Evidence of contributions by nominee to aid community oriented projects: The use of personal time and other resources.

• Must be a member of the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce.

Include specific projects or committees on which the business was involved, such as an advisory board, recreation project, or other activities.

Criteria for the Citizen of the Year - The narrative and supportive materials should stress how the individual’s volunteer efforts benefited the quality of life within the community, and describe how the nominee displayed exemplary:

• Commitment

• Support

• Skills

• Leadership

• Outreach to Other Citizens

• Desire to Make a Positive Impact in the Community

Include specific projects or committees on which the volunteer was involved, such as an advisory board, recreation project, or other activities.