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 13 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.

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.

LCM FFA hosting bake sale

The LCM Chapter Texas Young Farmers will be having a bake sale starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday March 31, at Farmers Mercantile and Tractor Supply Company in Orange. All proceeds will go towards FFA Scholorships and State Convention.

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 out. 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.

BC Kindergarten early registration 2012-2013

The Bridge City Independent School District kindergarten early registration for the 2012-2013 school year.

Students will register at Bridge City Elementary front office.

The following guidelines apply to the kindergarten program:

• Students must be 5 years of on or before Sept. 1, 2012.

• A state certified birth certificate, complete immunization record, proof of residency in Bridge City ISD (electric, water, gas, or rental agreement) the student’s Social Security card and parents or guardians photo ID are required.

• Current students who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2012 and will complete the 2011-2012 school year in PPCD, Speech, or Pre-K are not required to register for kindergarten. They are automatically promoted.

Only complete packets will be accepted. The only time for teacher request for all grade levels is April 2 - April 13. School personnel are asking anyone knowing parents of prospective kindergarten children to inform them of the registration dates. The office at BCE will be registering students from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day. For further information contact BCE office at 735-0900.

Grace Manor to host foster care, adoption meeting

Grace Manor will be hosting Informational meetings on foster care and adoption at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 2 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 5. Those interested can join to find out how they can serve children in need. The meetings will be held at Grace Manor, 1502 Strickland Dr., Suite #3 in Orange. Contact Katherine Larson at 1-800-543-7122 to sign up.

American Legion to host fish lunch

The American Legion Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave. in Orange, will hold a plate lunch fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 5. The lunch will consist of fried fish, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, bread and dessert and the cost is $7 per plate. Walk-ins are welcome and delivery is available. Call 886-1241 after noon on April 4 and before 9 a.m. on April 5 for orders or delivery. All proceeds go back into the American Legion Post 49, which is a non-profit Veteran organization.

Hunter harvest report cards due April 8

The deadline for the return of the 2011-12 hunter harvest report cards is April 8, 2012. This year there will be no grace period, Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Douglas Neighbor in Kountze announced today.

In addition, hunters who fail to return their harvest cards by the deadline will not be eligible to hunt in Big Thicket National Preserve. Hunters are urged to return their harvest report cards as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline; cards post-marked by April 8 will be accepted. Wildlife managers use the harvest cards to monitor long-term trends and for hunting program management decisions.

For more information, call Big Thicket National Preserve at 409-951-6700 or 409-951-6831.

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.

Thrift & Gifts Center to host garage sale

Thrift & Gifts outside garage sale is being planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. The organization needs at least 20 vendors. Spaces will rent for $12 with sellers providing their tables and chairs. Gates will open at 7 p.m. for those setting up with sales beginning at 8 a.m. The shop and bargain room will be open. To reserve a booth or for more information, call 886-7649, or come by the Thrift & Gifts Center at 350 37th St. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

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.

Heavenly Hearts Summer Charity Pageant to be held May 26

Heavenly Hearts Charity Pageants announces it’s next event.

The Summer Charity Pageant will be held on May 26 at the Bridge City Community Center in Bridge City.

Entries are being accepted now and will continue until May 24.

Early bird entry discounts are given to those that enter by May 5.

Age divisions are from babies all the way to adult.

The event is open to all areas and to both boys and girls.

Attire is formal and summer wear.

Awards are crowns, trophies, plaques, sashes, toys, gifts, and much more.

No one will leave empty handed and all young contestants receive a tiara just for taking part in this event.

The charity that will benefit from this event is the Bridge City Ministerial Alliance.

Entry fee into this event if entered by the early bird deadline is $85.

Late entries will be charged $135.

Raffle tickets for various donated items can be sold to pay the entry fee, or you may get a sponsor if you want to enter at no cost to you.

For more information, log on to Heavenly Hearts Charity Pageants on facebook.

Anyone can enter, purchase a raffle ticket, or make a donation by calling Kari Stringer 281-259-4437 (Must leave a message) or by email for a much faster response [email protected] Applications can be mailed or emailed to you by sending your email address to the yahoo account.

There are also applications available to pick up at the Ministerial Alliance.

The alliance is open on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m.

to noon and they are located next to First Baptist Church on Roundbunch Road in Bridge City.

Businesses are welcome to advertise free of charge with any donation of any value to the event.

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.

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].