Community Bulletin Board this week

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.

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 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.

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.

Plant Sale in Orangefield Saturday

The Orange County Master Gardeners are holding their annual plant sale at 8 a.m., Saturday, March 17. The sale will be held at Jewel Cormier Park at the greenhouse.

The park is located in Orangefield on Farm Road 1442 between Farm Road 105 and Interstate 10, next to the railroad tracks.

Orange DAR Chapter to meet March 19

The William Diamond Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution of Orange will have their monthly meeting on Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at 4464 Memorial Drive in Orange. The program for the meeting will be “Biography of a Presidents Wife”. 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 at 409-735-5253.

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.

Orangefield FFA hosting plant sale

The Orangefield FFA will be having a plant sale starting April 2. The plant sale will continue until they are sold outs. The sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Orangefield Ag Department unless other arrangements are made. Celebrity Tomatoes, Sweet 100 Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Jalapenos and Okra are available. For more information call 409-735-2034.

WO High School Class of 1962 to host reunion

The West Orange High School Class of 1962 has announced their plans for the 50th Class Reunion. The reunion will be held the weekend of April 20,21 and 22. Information and registration sheets have been mailed out. If you have not received one and would like to attend, please contact: Anita (Adair) Bussell at 409-886-2069.

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.

Senior Citizen of the Year Nominations sought

Nominations are sought for the 2012 Senior Citizen of the Year. The winner will be announced at the 43rd annual Senior Citizen Rally Day “Getting’ Hooked on Health” on May 8.

Nominees must be 60 years old or over. Application must be accompanied by a written summary of the nominee’s service to mankind such as: participation in service organizations; service projects; their contribution towards improving the community; and volunteer service (church, clubs, community, and fellowman). Describe outstanding leadership, service, achievements, and awards.

Deadline for entries is April 16. Mail form to: Extension Committee on Aging, P. O. BOX 367, Orange, TX 77631-0367. Those submitting an application for a nominee must be willing to accept the judge’s decision.

For more information call the extension office at 409-882-7010 or check out their Web site: http://orange.agrilife.org.

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].