Check out this week's Bulletin Board

AARP income tax assistance program offered

The AARP Tax Filing Assistance Program will have trained volunteers available from 12:15 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 13th in the Orange Public Library.

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.

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.

OC Relay for Life Survivor Dinner rescheduled

The Orange County Relay for Life Survivor Dinner, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 has been rescheduled. The new date for the dinner is Thursday, March 29 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Bridge City Community Center.

Events planned for Eagles Lodge

The Fraternal Order of Eagles will start selling their monthly barbecue lunches for 2012 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the lodge, 803 N. 28th St. in Orange.

The menu consists of chicken, link, potato salad, baked beans bread and a cookie. An order of two or more lunches will be delivered free of charge.

A pool tournament open to the public will begin at 8 p.m. and end whenever on Friday, Feb. 17 at the lodge.

Jesse & Co. will play for a dance from 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. The cover charge is $5 per person.

Kenny Schatte will play from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on March 9 and March 16. The kitchen will have food available.

There will be a Double Trouble Karaoke from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday, March 2 and 9th.

For barbecue orders contact Sharon Bodin at 735-8662.

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 Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18-19, at the VFW on Hwy. 87 in Orange. Hours for the show are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The community is invited to attend. For more information, please call 745-4280.

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.

Orange Chapter of DAR to meet Feb. 20

The William Diamond Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution of Orange will have their monthly meeting on at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20.

The meeting will be held at 620 Idylwood Street in Bridge City. The program for the meeting will be “Portrait of Dolly Madison.” Any woman eighteen years of age or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of The American Revolution is eligible for membership.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a member is encouraged to attend. If more information is needed, the Chapter Regent may be contacted @ 409-735-5253.

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

LCM Young Farmers to sell barbecue plates

Little Cypress-Mauriceville Young Farmers are taking orders for barbecue plates with brisket, sausage, potato salad, beans and trimmings. They are $10 per plate and you can contact either Jennifer at 281-793-3364 or Carrie at 409-886-7988 to buy tickets. Pick up for plates is Saturday Feb. 25 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Orange County Livestock Barn in Mauriceville, you will need to pre-order plates as we will not be selling additional plates on day of pick up. Last day to order plates will be Feb. 15th. The monies raised will go toward our scholarship fund.

LCM Young Farmers is having a garage sale Saturday March 3rd from 8-2 at Grace Lutheran Church 2300 Eddlemen Rd Orange (across from Memorial field). Monies raised will go toward scholarships and 2012 FFA State Convention for LCM students

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].

BC Project Graduation to host Ladies Night Out

The ladies of the community are invited to attend LADIES NIGHT OUT, a night to come and enjoy a night of socializing and browsing with local vendors supporting your local business and Bridge City 2012 Project Graduation. This event will be held on March 24 at the Bridge City Community Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 and door prizes and finger foods will be available. For more information, please call Judy Shockley at 409-734-7365

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].

Entergy Customers to see lower bills in March, April, May

A fuel refund announced for Entergy Texas, Inc. customers late last year has been finalized with the impact to customer bills more than originally expected.

Entergy Texas, Inc., the Public Utility Commission of Texas and other stakeholders ironed out details of the refund which will cover over-recovery of fuel costs for December 2010 through December 2011, bringing the total refund up to $67 million.

As a result, customers can expect to see a refund of $21.70 reflected on bills each month in March, April and May.

“Fuel costs have remained lower over the past year which means it isn’t costing us as much to purchase fuel to generate electricity,” said Joe Domino, president and chief executive officer, Entergy Texas, Inc. “Fortunately, the economy is beginning to improve; however, many of our customers are still struggling with higher prices or even joblessness. We are glad to be able to pass along our savings to customers in the form of a fuel refund.

Per PUCT rules, Entergy Texas determines twice a year what it will charge customers for the fuel it uses to generate electricity. The amount charged is based on fuel costs at that time. The recovery charge stays in place on bills for the next six months. Fuel prices, however, change frequently, so the company may not recover enough of what it paid for fuel or it may recover too much.

When too much is recovered, customers receive the refund through their bills. Entergy Texas does not earn a profit on fuel expenses and only passes actual fuel costs through to its customers. The PUCT must approve all fuel charges.

Entergy Texas, Inc. delivers electricity to more than 400,000 customers in 27 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Bridge City garbage service to begin automated pick-up

Bridge City garbage service customers will begin receiving new 96 gallon trash carts Monday, Feb. 20, and all customers should have theirs by Friday, Feb. 24. An instruction sheet on where to locate the carts will be included inside the lid of the unit.

Garbage pick-up service will be automated, so containers will need to be close to the edge of the street, and customers should begin using the new receptacles as soon as you receive them.

Garbage pick-up days will not change for customers, so use the container on your regular garbage day. Initial pick-up may still be with the old truck, but change out to the new truck should be complete by the first of March.

Customers are asked not to put out any other type container because no garbage will be picked up outside the new container.

The new carts are at no cost to the citizens and garbage rates will not increase. Any customer who needs additional carts, will be charged an additional $5 per month, but customers should have more than adequate room in one 96 gallon containers.

This project is an effort to clean up Bridge City and eliminate unsightly garbage and debris along pick-up routes.

For more information, or to order extra garbage containers, please contact City Hall at 409-735-6801.