Community Bulletin Board this week

OC Retired Teachers to meet Feb. 11

The next meeting of Orange County Retired Teachers will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb 13, at the Fellowship Hall at Wesley United Methodist Church, 401 37th Street in Orange. The guest speaker will be Holly Hanson of Shangri La. Holly coordinates

Shangri La’s volunteer program, which includes recruiting, interviewing, and placement of volunteers as well as orientation,

training, management of volunteers and program evaluation.

A light lunch will be served. Members are reminded to bring pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House and book donations for the TRTA Children’s Book Project.

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.

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/

OC Retired Senior Citizens to meet Feb.13

The Orange County Retired Senior Citizens will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Salvation Army Bldg. on the corner of MLK and Strickland. Bring a covered dish for the noon meal and also Bingo Prizes. Soaps are still being collected for OCS. If you have not paid your yearly dues, please do so at this meeting. Be sure to wear Red. All Seniors are invited to attend. For further information, please call 883-6161.

Orange VFW to commemorate sinking of USS Maine

Orange Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 will commemorate the sinking of the USS Maine on Feb. 15, 1898. The program will cover events that precipitated the beginning of the Spanish American War, which began in April of 1898. The public is invited to attend the program, which will take place at the VFW Hall on Highway 87 N (5303 N 16th St). For further information, contact John Clark at 883-0264.

Red Hot Flashers to meet Feb.15

The Red Hot Flashers have changed their usual meeting date to Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 11:30 a.m. They will meet in the home of Madame Rebecca Nation for there annual Mardi Gras party. Ladies are to bring finger foods and dress in Mardi Gras style.

Birthday ladies are: Lady Betty Boop, Betty Morgan: Queen Helene, Helen Broussard: and Lady Frenchie, Marie Browning.

For directions to the home call 409-779-7213.

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.

AgriLIFE to hold diabetic cooking demo

AgriLIFE offers two diabetes educational programs in one night beginning at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16 at Baptist Orange Hospital in the fifth floor classroom. Paula Taker, county extension agent, will offer a cooking demonstration. Steve Willie of Arizona will present “Taking Control.” “I have diabetes and I understand the challenges you face,” says Willie.To reserve your seat call the Texas AgriLIFE Extension office at 409-882-7010.

BC Knights of Columbus host Lenten dinners

Bridge City Knights of Columbus Lenten fish dinners (fried catfish, fries, coleslaw,hush puppies) begins Friday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Friday through Friday, March 30. Cost $8 per plate. Dine-in or take-out. Will deliver for ten or more. Please call in orders Thursday evening or early Friday by 9 a.m. Please call 409-735-4289 or 735-5725.

Lutcher Stark Bengal Guards to meet Feb.17

The Lutcher Stark Bengal Guards, years 1935-1944, will have their monthly meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 at The Sunset Grove Country Club on 2900 W. Sunset Drive. All The Lutcher Stark Guards are invited to attend.

OC Coin Club to host coin show

The Orange County Coin club will host a coin show on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19, at the VFW on Hwy. 87 in Orange. Hours for the show are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The community is invited to attend.

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.

BC Band Boosters to meet Feb. 21

Bridge City Band Boosters will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school band hall. For more information, follow the group on Facebook or http://www.bridgecitybands.com

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.

BCHS Alumni Assoc. to meet March 3

The BCHS Alumni Association will meet on Thursday, March 3 at Bridge City High School. Also, a Fine Arts Exibit and Open House will be held at BCHS.

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 until 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.

Former DuPont instrument employees reunion

The annual reunion of former DuPont instrument employees will be held Tuesday, March 6 at JB’s Barbecue at 5750 Old Highway 90 in Orange. The group will meet in the parking lot at 12 p.m. to visit and will move inside at 1 p.m. In the event of bad weather, plan to arrive at 12:45 p.m. Attendees will pay for their own lunch selection through the serving line. If you are a retired or former DuPont or INVISTA instrument employee, you are invited to attend this reunion.Visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Dan Ryder at 409-504-5046 or [email protected].

LCM FFA to host Spring Easter Fundraiser

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville FFA is kicking off their Spring Easter Fundraiser. Meat items and the dessert orders must are being taken and should be turned in by Friday, March 9, (Friday before Spring Break) and will be in before Easter Weekend. The forms and information are attached. To place an order, contact Brandy Whisenant, 409-886-5821 extension 1040 [email protected].

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 Association of University Women collecting books

The Orange branch of The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is now collecting books to be sold in their annual book sale. Anyone able to donate any gently used books is asked to drop them off at Mann Insurance Agency, 1505 Park at 15th Street in Orange. If pickup is needed, call 886-5739 or 886-2194 in Orange. All proceeds from the sale go toward the annual scholarship fund. Each year, the AAUW awards scholarships to two young women from Orange.

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].

VFW Dance features Redbone Cooking

Starks Memorial VFW located on Hwy 12 will hold a dance 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Feb. 11 featuring Redbone Cooking. Cost is $8 for singles, $15 per couple. Large dance floor. For more info call 337-743-6409.

Bromeliad Society to meet

The Golden Triangle Bromeliad Society meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. This month's meeting will be Monday, Feb. 13 at the Garden Center Building at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park off Fannett Road.

Refreshments will precede the meeting. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Call Teri Duos at 886-5721, or Mary Ellen Rinebold at 892-4498 for information on the meeting and directions.