Check out March activities in Orange County

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.

Grand Worthy President to visit Orange Eagles

The Grand Worthy President, Mel Fry from Carlisle, Pa. of the international organization of the Fraternal Order of Eagles will be attending the Orange chapter’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 at Aerie 2523, 803 N. 38th St..

For more information, contact Sharon Bodin at 735-8662 or 719-7793.

Members of The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2523 believe they’re the best kept secret in Orange.

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.

Donations sought for local charity drive

Little Cypress Intermediate and Little Cypress Elementary will hold the 2nd annual Community Resource Walk and Blood Drive Friday, March 9 open to students and their families only.

Money and donations collected will be shared with seven local charities the school has identified as regularly assisting students and families in their school district. Those charities are: Little Cypress Lions Club, Orange Christian Services, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Service League of Orange, Garth House and the Rainbow Room.

The event is not open to the public due to safety issues, but they have found a way to allow public participation. Donations of items and cash and be dropped off at Granger Chevrolet located on MacArthur Drive in Orange through noon on March 9. At that time the donations will be brought to the school to award to the charities at the event.

Items being collected are: non-perishable foods; personal care items (Brushes, Combs, Tooth paste, Tooth Brushes, Soap, Shampoo, etc.); cleaning supplies; office supplies; individual snacks; new stuffed animals; and old prescription glasses.

For more information contact Kelly Meadows, LCI School nurse at 8864245 ext. 5 or contact Granger Chevrolet.

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.

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].

Knights of the Columbus in Vidor host fish, shrimp fry

The Knights of the Columbus #5789 in Vidor will host a fish and shrimp fry at Our Lady Lourdes, located at 1600 N. Main in Vidor. The price is $7 per plate. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., dine-in or take out. Dinner will be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The schedule is as follows: March 2 - fish and shrimp, March 9 - fish and shrimp, March 16 - fish and shrimp, March 23 - fish and shrimp and March 30 - fish and shrimp.

Delivery is available for eight or more orders. Only fish is available for lunch. Call in orders to 409-658-1465 or 409-679-0397.

OC Retired Teachers to meet March 12

The Orange County Retired Teachers group will meet on Monday, March 12 at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 401 37th Street in Orange.

The guest speaker will be Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy John Badeaux, who will discuss the spread of artificial drugs and how Orange County is dealing with the problem.

Lunch will be provided by Judy Colebrook, Hughie Allen, Ann Quarles, Marian Robichaux, Polly Bertrand, Rosa Watson, Barbara Wilburn, Lillie Rhoads and Dolores Garcia.

Members are reminded to bring children’s books for the TRTA Book Project and pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.

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.

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].