Community Bulletin Board week of March 7-13

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.

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 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 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 Senior Citizens to meet March 12

The regular monthly of The Orange County Retied Senior Citizens will be at 9:30 on Monday, March 12 at The Salvation Army Building on the corner of MLK and Strickland. If you plan to stay for lunch, bring a covered dish. Also, each person should bring one or two Bingo Prizes. Do not forget to bring soaps to be taken to Orange Christian Services. All seniors are welcome to attend. For more information, call 409 883-6161.

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.

Bromeliad Society to meet March 12

The Golden Triangle Bromeliad Society meets on the second Monday of each month. This month’s meeting will be Monday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Center Building at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens at Terrell Park off Fannett Road in Beaumont. Refreshments will precede the meeting. Those interested are encouraged to attend. Call 409-866-5721 or 409-892-4498 for information on the meeting and directions.

Red Hot Flashers to meet March 15

The Red Hot Flashers of the Red Hat Society will meet Thursday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at the garden center of Wal-mart. The ladies will carpool to L’auberge du lac casino for lunch and fun. There will be no door prizes this month. Birthday lady is Lady Evangline, Billie Becker. All ladies are welcome. For information call: 409-886-1609.

BC Band Boosters to hold meeting March 20

Bridge City Band Boosters will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school band hall. Follow the group on Facebook or by visiting bridgecitybands.com.

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].

LSCO ACE Program meeting set for March 27

The Lamar State College-Orange ACE program will be holding a free informational meeting on March 27 at 6 p.m. in the Wilson Building, Room 134. The meeting will discuss the program on campus and how to register, and will also explore the new ACE Program certification that is now available completely online. For more information on the meeting, please contact the ACE Program at 409-882-3952

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.

Guns vs. Hoses set for April 23

The 17th Annual Charity Basketball Game Guns vs. Hoses has be scheduled for Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. All proceeds will go towards the LCM Project Safe Graduation. The community is invited to come out and support the LCM Project Safe Graduation and watch the Orange Police Department take on the Orange Fire Department in a fun filled night. Concessions will be available and door prizes will also be given away.

Fraternal Order of Eagles to host pool tournament

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2523, located at 803 N. 28th Street in Orange, will be hosting a pool tournament every Friday starting at 8 p.m. Prize money goes to first and second place winners. The community is invited to come meet the members of Aerie 2523 and join in the fun. For more information, please call 409-886-7381.

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].