Bulletin Board filled with activities

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.

Orangefield HS FFA to host plant sale

The Orangefield FFA will host a plant sale each day until Friday, Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until the plants are all sold. Plants may be purchased at the Orangefield High School Ag Department. All plants cost $1 each and all proceeds will benefit the Orangefield FFA. Those interested can chose from the following: Early Girl Tomatoes, Sweet 100 Tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, cucumbers, yellow squach, petunias, coleus and marigolds.

For more information, please call 409-735-2034.

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.

OC Republican Party to meet Feb.28

The regular monthly meeting of the Orange County Republican Party will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Salvation Army Complex, on the corner of MLK and Strickland. The Orange County Republican Party will meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.

BC Knights of Columbus host Lenten dinners

Bridge City Knights of Columbus Lenten fish dinners (fried catfish, fries, coleslaw,hush puppies) begins from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday through 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 735-5725.

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 p..m 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

American Legion to host a brisket lunch

The American Legion Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave. in Orange, will host a brisket lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. The lunch includes brisket, link, potato salad, beans, bread and dessert for $7 per plate. Walk-ins welcome and delivery is available. Call 409-886-1241 after noon on Feb. 29 and before 9 a.m. on March 1 for orders and delivery.

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

Something Old/Something New at Thrift and Gift set for March 1

The Thrift and Gift Store, located at 350 37th Street in Orange, is rearranging the their store to make space for their special Spring Sale. New vendors, experienced quilters and more volunteers are needed. They hold their monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. Coffee, tea dessert and fellowship are offered at each meeting. For more information, please call 886-7649 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

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.

Lion Pride 5K set for March 24

A 5K run/walk has been scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at 9 a.m. in Claiborne Park. All proceeds will benefit the Community Christian School Athletic Department. Paper registration forms can be found at http://www.searimstriders.org or those interested can register online at http://www.active.com under “Lion Pride 5K.”

A 1K kids run will begin at 10 a.m on March 29 and is for kids 12 years of age and under.

Pre-registration must be done by Friday, March 16, guaranteeing a t-shirt.

The pre-registration fee for the 5K is $20 and for the 1K is $12. Registration can be complete on the day of the race with fees for the 5K at $25 and $15 for the 1K.

Trophies for overall male and female winners will be given. First, second and third place trophies will be given in each age group . Groups include 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. All 1K participants will receive a finisher’s medal.

For more information, please contact Amanda Britnell at 409-313-4357, 409-746-9753 or at [email protected].

OC Relay for Life Survivor Dinner set for March 29

The Orange County Relay for Life Survivor Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, March 29 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Bridge City Community Center.

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].

Stark Museum of Art offers Art Quest: Spring Break Art Classes for Children

Registration is now open for Art Quest, free youth art classes offered by the Stark Museum of Art. The classes will be available for students in grades 1 - 8 and will take place during the week of Orange County public school spring break, March 13 - 16, 2012.

Art Quest participants will learn about the paintings and sculptures at the Museum and gain hands-on experience creating art. Advance registration is required and application forms are available on the Museum’s website, http://www.starkmuseum.org. Application forms are due by March 5, and class space is limited. Each class takes place over two half-days.

Children in grades 1 - 2 can take an imaginary trip in “Around the World in Two Mornings” on March 13 - 14, from 9 until 11:30 a.m. Or, children in grades 1 - 2 can choose to play with paint in “Squish, Squash, Gouache” on March 15 - 16, from 9 until 11:30 a.m.

Children in grades 3 - 5 will build tall towers and learn about pueblos and pagodas in “Awesome Architecture” on March 13 - 14 from 1:30 until 4 p.m.

Older students in grades 6 - 8 will create art inspired by international adventure in “Maps and Journeys,” on March 15 - 16 from 1:30 until 4 p.m.

Amelia Wiggins, Educator for Public Programs at the Stark Museum of Art, encourages local families to sign up for Art Quest soon. “We are very excited to offer extra-curricular art classes for children once again this spring. Classes fill quickly, so we encourage families to apply as soon as possible by filling out the application form available on our website,” says Wiggins.

Classes will be kept to a maximum of 20 students each, and sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. All application forms must be fully completed and signed.

Parents can find details on each of the four Art Quest classes offered this spring, along with the application form, under the Education tab on the Museum website at http://www.starkmuseum.org. Application forms are also available at the Information Desk of the Stark Museum of Art during regular hours.

Located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, Stark Museum of Art is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for all ages. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information, call 409.886.ARTS (2787) or visit http://www.starkmuseum.org.